Pasco neighborhood aims to be more than new subdivision

PASCO — Deborah Hernandez of Pasco has always wanted to live in a new home. And in Tierra Vida, an east Pasco subdivision, her dream has come true.

She and her husband Joe moved into the subdivision's 54th house two weeks ago, which makes them the newest residents of a neighborhood that's not just a subdivision.

Roger Bairstow, director of CASA LLC, said the development company -- the acronym means "home" in Spanish -- aims to build a community that helps residents grow in leadership and service.

CASA is an affiliate of Broetje Orchards. Bairstow said Tierra Vida -- the name means land and life -- was modeled after Vista Hermosa or "Beautiful View," a community of rentals in Prescott built for Broetje workers.

But Tierra Vida isn't limited to Broetje workers. Contractors also have built homes there, and it has 21 Habitat for Humanity homes as well.

The community is a mix, with Latino families making up about 70 percent of its residents so far, said Leanne Smith, CASA community outreach coordinator.

Joe Hernandez said a federal tax credit helped his family buy their home and new furnishings for it. Their two-bedroom, two-bath home cost $112,000, including some extras, he said. They specified the floor plan and chose paint colors. He said if they were to buy the same home near Road 68, he'd expect to pay at least $135,000.

So far, about 55 of the 251 homes planned in the 50-acre subdivision are complete, Smith said, and the foundations have gone in for four more. CASA is building two and contractors are building the others, Bairstow said.

The project is still in its first phase, with its third phase to include the last group of homes and a 5-acre park.

Tom Mickelson, a board member of Tierra Vida Homeowners Association, said the programs residents have access to are unlike those available in a typical neighborhood.

The Center for Sharing, another Broetje Orchards affiliate, owns The Collegium on A Street adjacent to the homes. It houses The Collegium Caf, His Produce, CASA and rental rooms. A Mid-Columbia Libraries bookmobile also has stops there.

Those services are why Deborah Hernandez calls it the community's clubhouse.

During the summer, CASA also offers an eight-week youth program, which includes field trips to such places as to Memorial Pool. And during the school year, volunteer tutors help youths with homework through an afterschool program.

That kind of outreach creates a community feeling, the Hernandezes said. For example, Smith answered questions and gave advice to them while their home was under construction.

"They are watching out for the neighbors," Deborah Hernandez said.

And when the couple wanted a paint that wasn't in a shade preapproved by CASA, she said Smith worked with them so they could get their preferred blue.

The organization also tries to offer classes and events at the Collegium to benefit residents, including classes on English as a second language and low-water landscaping, Smith said. And there have been mother-and-daughter craft nights, school's-out parties and school's-starting parties, Bairstow said.

Mickelson's family, wife Sheila, son Trent, 9, and daughter Lynley, 2, have found the programs helpful. Trent dramatically improved in reading thanks to a program at the center, Mickelson said. The classes were open to Virgie Robinson Elementary students who qualified for extra help, and were paid for by a grant the school received, Smith said.

The original idea was to complete Tierra Vida within 10 years, Smith said.

The housing market slowdown has made the finish date uncertain, Bairstow said, but just completing the buildings won't mean the community is finished.

"Getting the connections between people takes some time," he said. The goal is to see neighbors build and maintain relationships.

Bairstow noted Mickelson, who was one of Tierra Vida's first residents, has helped three families build fences and has mowed neighbors' lawns too.

Mickelson said he thinks the economic slowdown is helping build Tierra Vida's sense of community. If the homes went up too quickly, it would be harder to start programs and build connections, he said.

He said some of his suggestions have been adopted. The community started an annual communitywide garage sale, and he's working on a neighborhood watch.

Bairstow said CASA wants residents to help direct their community, which is different than the typical approach of adopting covenants and codes residents must obey.

"We want the community members to be in control," he said.

This story was originally published August 2, 2010 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Pasco neighborhood aims to be more than new subdivision."