By Kristen Tucker

Large lots, towering trees, and a view of Harris Creek are only a few of the perks to living in this scenic subdivision. Located on the Highway 84 corridor near Harris Creek, Stone Creek Ranch offers the convenience of city living with the privacy of the country.

Five prominent local builders pooled their expertise and years of experience to create Stone Creek Ranch. The Stone Creek Ranch Development Group, composed of Brad Alford, Jim Bland, Pat Hambrick, Jamie Muhl and Othel Neely, is a close-knit group whose friendship spans over 30 years. “When the developers of a subdivision are also the builders, it makes a subdivision like this work,” Bland said. Collaborating with a shared comradery, the Stone Creek Ranch Development Group works hard to create a sense of cohesion in the subdivision.

The Heart of Texas Builder’s Association has selected Stone Creek Ranch as the site of the showcase home for September 2007. Customarily, the president of the HOTBA builds the showcase home. But, this year’s president, John Alexander, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, only has experience building Habitat houses. So, the Stone Creek Ranch Development Group offered its years of experience building luxury homes to the HOTBA and sold the association a lot at a discounted price.

Exciting developments are on the horizon for Stone Creek Ranch, with new features planned for phase III & IV. Every lot sold will come with a membership to the Home Owners Association, and phase III will include the addition of a commons area. Will Fair, owner of Home Abstract, will organize this fun, family-friendly area. It is planned to have a playground, tennis court, sports court, pavilion, open play area, and picnic area. “The commons area will give the subdivision more of a community feeling,” Hambrick said. “It will be a nice place for the youth to play and families to congregate.”

Stone Creek Ranch still has a long way to go and development is planned to continue for the next five years. Currently, there are 20 estate-sized lots available and 50 acres of undeveloped land. These lots range in size from half an acre to one acre, with homes priced between $300,000 to $500,000. Not entirely exclusive, some lots in this subdivision are available to other builders or to individuals building custom homes.

—— Subdivisionaries ——

Brad Alford, of the Alford Company, was born with building in his blood. Following in his father, Ed’s, footsteps, he joined the family business. Brad is the youngster of the bunch and the other four builders watched him grow up. Building houses in subdivisions throughout the Waco area, Brad has earned a place of prominence and has served as president of the Heart of Texas Builders Association in 1994 and 2002. He has also been selected as “Builder of the Year” twice.

Jim Bland, owner of Jim Bland Construction, started his career in architecture, which gives him unique insight into the design and construction of homes. Jim is currently in his 33rd year of building houses and is still going strong with his son, Scott, at his side. Jim has built houses in many subdivisions throughout the Waco area. He has received numerous honors, including serving as president of the Heart of Texas Builders Association in 1981 and 2000 and earning the title “Builder of the Year” twice.

Pat Hambrick, president of Pat Hambrick Construction, has been building upscale luxury homes in the Greater Waco area for over 20 years. He is well respected among his peers and has served as served as president of the Heart of Texas Builders Association in 1990 and 2001. He has also been selected as “Builder of the Year” twice. Pat is active in the community and is a member of several organizations, including The Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, Brazos River Advisory Board, Baylor Bear Foundation and First Baptist Church of Waco.

Jamie Muhl, owner of Muhl Construction, acquired his interest in homebuilding while working his way through school as an electrician. After graduating college, Jamie took a job with Lenamon Construction in 1971 and built and sold his first house in 1981. He has built homes in such subdivisions as Whispering Meadows, DeHay, Stone Ridge Manor and Fossil Ridge. Jamie served as president of the Heart of Texas Builders Association in 1991, and has received the honor of “Builder of the Year.” Having a real estate broker’s license, Jamie markets and sells his own homes.

Othel Neely, known affectionately as “The Godfather” among the other builders in the group, has been a homebuilder for 20 years. Before he was a builder, Othel was a trade association executive for 28 years. Needing something to do when he retired, Othel took up homebuilding because of his interest in investing in real estate. Othel has built homes in Whispering Meadow, Fossil Ridge, Western Ridge and Stone Creek Ranch. Highly esteemed among the building community, Othel severed as Heart of Texas Builders Association President in 1992 and has received the honor of “Builder of the Year.”