WESTERLY WHAT’S ALL THE BUZZ?

Brie Fowler

Have you heard the buzz about Westerly, the new, one-of-a-kind neighborhood in Erie?

Westerly is a meticulously planned 400-acre community, featuring approximately 1,200 homes with diverse designs within a traditional neighborhood setting, creating the perfect environment to enjoy a life well lived.

Westerly is rooted in the visionary ideas of Tim Downey, founder and CEO of Southern Land Company (the developer of Westerly). Mr. Downey has long admired the Walt Disney Company and the magical experiences it creates for people; and early in his life, he developed a deep appreciation for well-designed, classic neighborhoods from the past that evoke feelings of community and comfort, like Cherry Creek in Denver and Highland Park in Texas. Drawing inspiration from Disney and iconic neighborhoods, as well as his own experience growing up in small-town Farmington, Michigan, Mr. Downey believed new neighborhoods could— and should—offer timelessly beautiful places and truly special experiences. This belief, paired with an immersive, multi-year study of the Erie community, ultimately led Southern Land Company to conceptualize—and now realize—Westerly.

Westerly opened to homeowners earlier this year, and it’s already easy to observe the level of thought put into every part of the community. For instance, when planning the layout of Westerly, the design team at Southern Land Company made sure that each park within the community offers views of Longs Peak, no matter where you are standing in the parks. Additionally, while Southern Land Company’s homebuilding group, SLC Homes, is one of the homebuilders in Westerly, the company selected two other accomplished homebuilders with Colorado roots—Brightland Homes and McStain Neighborhoods—to help make Westerly a reality. Together, the three builders deliver carefully constructed, design-centric homes that boast high-end materials, elegant finishes, contemporary conveniences, and gorgeous, intentional landscaping. This approach creates a sense of unity yet variety within the neighborhood.

So, what are some of the specific highlights of Westerly beyond exceptional homes?

1. Upon completion, there will be more than 100 acres of undeveloped open space and trails within the community, offering residents room to explore and enjoy the natural surroundings of Colorado and the active lifestyles we all pursue.

2. Residents will enjoy the convenience and walkability of the planned village center, which will include a mixture of restaurants, shops, and services within approximately 35,000 square feet of commercial space.

3. The main hub in the community will be Westerly Waypoint, a premier amenity center, complete with a resort-style pool, hot tub, fire pits, fitness studio, remote workspaces, and community rooms. The indoor space for community gathering and activities will be approximately 5,000 square feet! Westerly Waypoint will make daily life more convenient and enjoyable by providing opportunities for an active and healthy lifestyle for its residents.

4. There will be a full-time community lifestyle manager who will develop lifestyle programs and activities at Westerly Waypoint and throughout the community, including Westerly’s Village Green, where additional outdoor fitness classes, special events, and social activities have already started.

5. Twenty-five acres within Westerly will be set aside as the site of a new St. Vrain Valley School District middle school, which will be highly walkable for students.

As a lifelong Coloradan and Erie resident, I am particularly excited about Westerly’s debut and all that is to come. Thoughtful development matters now more than ever, especially as Erie continues to grow.

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Downey and others on the Southern Land Company team, and I visited a collection of Southern Land Company’s masterplanned communities that were launched decades ago and are thriving today. They are remarkably beautiful and vibrant, with striking streetscapes and open spaces, timeless architecture, and active, engaged residents. They are proof that Mr. Downey and his team create extraordinary places, and now Westerly joins the ranks.

I am excited to continue sharing about Westerly as a realtor, a Westerly Broker Ambassador, and a soon-to-be Westerly resident!

The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0) was signed into law on Dec. 29, 2022. This bill is designed to strengthen the retirement savings system by extending and expanding your savings opportunities. The effective dates vary greatly, with some provisions effective immediately and others deferred several years into the future.

Of the more than 90 provisions in SECURE 2.0, a few key highlights include:

• Increase in the required minimum distribution (RMD) beginning age to 73 in 2023 and 75 in 2033

• Higher retirement plan contribution limits for certain individuals

• Additional Roth retirement plan options

• Employer matches for qualified student loan payments

• Ability to roll over 529 assets to a Roth IRA for the 529 beneficiary

• New or expanded penalty exceptions for early withdrawals

Let’s set up a time to discuss whether these new rules could impact your retirement goals.

Tony J Liska Financial Advisor 3434 47th Street Suite 120 Boulder, CO 80301-1817 303-441-0204

DOOR COMPANY IN DENVER

®

If given the opportunity to earn your business I will promise you the best customer experience. We want to show you why we are the best, not the biggest, but the best. We care about all of our customers and want to earn a customer for life by educating you on products, service, and replacement equipment. We want what is best for you, our customer. Thank you for your time and we look forward to helping you with all of your garage door questions or concerns, big or small.

— Trapper Searles - Owner

Why Choose The Garage Doctor

The Garage Doctor is a small, growing business focused on customer satisfaction. Standing by our motto of “Friendly, Honest, and Affordable”, we will go the extra mile to ensure our customers receive excellent service and products at a competitive rate.

WHAT WE DO ...

Southpaw Electric is an electrical contracting company specializing in commercial, residential and industrial contracting. With our highly-qualified and certified electricians we’ll make sure your job is both done right and within your budget. We also offer specialized electrical work such as automated systems, audio-visual, communications and computer networking. Everything your business or home requires to up and running efficiently.

Our dedication to our customers and customer service is top-notch. We’ll work with you to make sure all your needs are met and make recommendations to save you time and money. State licensed in Colorado, owned and operated by a Master Electrician for more than 15 years. We are the premier electrical contracting company in Boulder County.

Lutron Pro Gold Residential Certified