Successful real
estate developer, Marco Abel Nordio, has a knack for noticing future
trends. One of the strongest trends he sees is the development of
live, work and play communities. Designed to reduce pollution and
foster a sense of community, live, work and play developments are a
growing trend in the United States.
Marco Abel
Nordio and his partners’ current project is Hunter’s Run. Located
in Watford City, North Dakota, Hunter’s Run is the first live, work
and play Master Planned Community in the booming oil town.
Encompassing a 294-acre land mass that was once filled with wheat,
Hunter’s Run will eventually include commercial development and
housing for over 4,000 people. Housing will run from affordable,
family housing to higher priced homes. Single family homes, condos
and duplexes and apartments will give residents a variety of choices
to meet their needs and budgets. The master plan calls for plenty of
amenities and supporting services, including parks, shopping,
restaurants and green space.
Nordio and his
partners chose Watford City because of its close proximity to the
Bakken field, the heart of the North Dakota oil boom. Watford City
was founded in 1914. Originally settled as a Great Northern Railroad
destination, businesses were built and both homes and businesses were
moved to Watford from Schafer. Schafer eventually became a ghost
town. Watford City became the county seat in 1940.
The 2010 census
recorded a population of 1,744 people, but the oil boom is bringing
significantly more people to the region. EOG Resources petroleum
geologist Mike Johnson discovered the Parshall Oil Field in 2006. Now
operating most of the wells, EOG Resources immediately began drilling
operations and production continues from is thought to be a
continuous oil reservoir.
North Dakota
experienced a complete economic reversal due to the discovery of oil.
Residents in Mountrail County, North Dakota, have seen their incomes
more than double, putting the county in the top 100 richest in the
country. Unemployment figures plummeted to 3.5%, giving North Dakota
the lowest of any U.S. state. It is now the second-largest oil
producing state, after Texas. The rapid increase in people moving to
Watford City and the surrounding area created a high demand for
housing and supporting services. Because of the continuing nature of
the oil-producing field, those moving in are likely to stay not only
to work and but to also raise their families. Watford City became the
ideal location for development of a work, live and play community.
Hunter’s Run is being built in three phases, with a projected
completion date in 2016.
Marco Abel
Nordio sees changing demographics as a large reason that live, work
and play communities are the wave of the future. Current trends show
people moving toward a more urban lifestyle. Concerns about the
environment also play a key role. People no longer want to commute
great distances to work or engage in recreational activities. The
live, work and play plan makes it possible for residents to walk to
work, restaurants and shopping venues. Golf courses, sports complexes
and parks provide ample recreational opportunities.
