Our History

1993:

• First slideshow held promoting the idea of cohousing in Tucson.
• First Group Process Workshop

1994:

• "Getting it Built Workshop" with Zev Paiss
• Created organizing documents and processes
• Initial site search

1995:

• Formed legal not for profit under the name Tucson Neighborhood Development Corporation.
• Established initial investments for membership
• Created Business Plan with help of consultants
• Continued with site search
• Slide shows at Himmel library began, providing orientation meetings for prospective members.

1996:

• Hired a Developer Consultant - developed financial pro formas
• Marketing for new members
• More site searching

1997:

• Worked with a new Developer Consultant
• December - decided to work with Wonderland Hill & pursue the Roger Road site

1998:

• Site optioned and feasibility study done
• Community building workshop led by Dan Kruse
• Concept and schematic design done with the Cohousing Company
• Preliminary site engineering and evaluation done
• Group process workshop with Laird Schaub
• Construction documents underway by end of year
• City plans and approvals

1999:

• Ceremonial Ground Breaking (May 8th)
• Selection of a builder
• Building designs completed
• Began design of landscape
• Construction began in October

2000:

• Strawbale Common House raising
• First move in by July 1. Delays for next several months due rain damage.
• Common House construction on hold due to rain damage
• Landscape installation begun in Fall
• Nearly all homes occupied by Dec 31

2001:

• Much of the landscaping completed in Spring
• Pool completed in May
• First annual 4th of July water-fest celebration
• Common House complete in October, followed shortly by first common meal