More and more people are looking to move to the heart of the city; makes it easy to attend events
Published in the December 25, 2013-January 7, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Cheri Devlin
Cheri Devlin
My family and I have lived here only a few years so it’s been incredible to see all of the new homes being built around us. And it’s even more exciting to see the property values start to increase because of some of the new construction. Combine that with the character and curb appeal of some of the older homes and buildings downtown, I’m constantly reminded of why living here is so special — Morgan Hill’s unique charm and plans for the future.
The downtown map on the city of Morgan Hill’s website says it best: “With 300 new housing units being constructed and the influx of new fine-dining restaurants, downtown is the perfect place to invest.” And roommates Kim Bush and Dan Craig who moved downtown this July couldn’t agree more.
Bush, the founding chair of the Poppy Jasper Film Festival, and Craig, who served as the executive director of the Morgan Hill Downtown Association from 2002 to 2006, scored when they found the incredible one-of-a-kind loft apartment atop Huntington Station restaurant on Third Street.
Thanks to owner Tony Villafranca who helped revitalize the historic building, the loft’s high ceilings, surrounding windows and natural light, awesome views and the big city floor plan was the perfect match for Bush and Craig to call home.
The dining opportunities in close walking proximity were definitely a luring factor for these two to move downtown — a common theme among downtown residents. But for roommates who love to entertain friends and view the parades and festivals from their roof-top deck, having built-in front row seats to every downtown event certainly made it an easy decision to make the move downtown.
As a downtown resident myself, I can completely relate. Now I live just outside the downtown corridor, so I don’t have the perk of entertainment right outside my front door. But when I can get to a MHDA board meeting in less than six minutes by foot, I think I reap some of the same benefits to living in the heart of downtown.
In similar theme to Bush, Craig, and other downtown residents I’ve spoken with, the three things I love most about living downtown are always having easy access to attend events being planned downtown, the convenience of walking home instead of calling a cab because that last beer at Trail Dust BBQ was too good to waste, and never having to worry about finding a parking spot. However, that may soon change for everyone — not just residents within walking distance from downtown.
With the city embarking on major improvements, including a new parking structure downtown on what most people know as the Sunsweet property, this time next year finding a parking spot could end up being the least of your shopping worries. And as new residential construction continues, as well as implementation of the Long Range Property Management Plan, Morgan Hill will continue to see an uptick of new faces downtown and visitors who keep coming back, and may eventually become residents — if they’re lucky.
Cheri Devlin is a Morgan Hill resident and member of the Morgan Hill Downtown Association Board of Directors. She is a marketing and business development professional who loves writing about life as a working mom. Find her blog at www.talesofcorporate-mommyhood.blogspot.com.
