Progress Report
February 19-24, 2007 // CONSTRUCTION LOG #124
Contact phone numbers
Internet Phone:
New York: 315-279-6711
Toronto: 416-907-5758 // 416-461-2203
Costa Rica:
Cell: 506-305-3965
Land: 506-282-4142 Ext. 101
NOTE: the New York and Toronto numbers are "local calls" for people in the area codes; calls from outside the area code will be billed at the normal rate from the caller's area code to either the "315" or the "416" area code.
NOTE: NOW THAT THIS DEVELOPMENT IS ESSENTIALLY FINISHED, THE LOG WILL FOCUS MORE ON THE RIO ORO DEVELOPMENT. IT WILL BE INFORMATIVE TO THOSE PLANNING ON BUILDING, THOSE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO PURCHASE OR TO LEASE, AND FOR THOSE WONDERING WHAT EXPATS DO IN COSTA RICA AND THE LIFESTYLE OF TWO ORDINARY PEOPLE.
The STORY: Rio Oro update and personal hassle.
CONSTRUCTION
Rio Oro Development: The official name is: Condominimo Hacienda El Dorado
I expect that this will be shortened to "El Dorado".
Some might remember the legend -For centuries,
conquistadors and adventures from Europe sought the
rumored golden city. Like Shangri-La, Zanadu and
other mythical places, it was never found but a lot
of territory was discovered and new opportunities
created. Being at the headwaters of the Rio Oro
river, we felt was a fitting association.
I've approved in principle one building concept and
footprint and have discussed in some detail the
principles to be used in designing buildings for
several other multifamily lots. I'm awaiting the
architect's response. We have decided to move ahead
and asking the governing authorities for permission
to cover over the runoff area which crosses an area of
the land. We've had the City review it; they've
said it's not in their jurisdiction but told us where
to go. We're following that up. We are also pursuing
the ability to cut some of the trees that are not on
the restricted species list and which we know to be
wrongly located. We're digging postholes for
perimeter fencing and are preparing to set columns in
concrete. We will also start building additional
scaffolding and re-useable forms for footings, beams,
and columns. We are now shooting for May 1 for the
completion of documentation for submission to
government bodies for approval. Between now and then,
there are lots of issues to be resolved.
RESIDENCIAS LOS JARDINES
Satellite TV: The problem I've been experiencing has
been traced to some relationship with the garden
lighting -who would have thunk it!!! I noticed that
when one circuit of garden lights went on, our signal
died. This gave us a different place to look for the
problem. I haven't had time to look at the TV in the
evenings so I don't know if we've now solved it. This
has been a bedeviling problem for several months.
Rentals:
Unit 124: (Beginning May 1): one bedroom, 620 sf;
2nd. floor, sleeps 5 (1 double and 1 single in master
bedroom / 1 pull out sofa (double); full kitchen with
eating counter. Full display
cabinet/bookcase/computer desk. Home theater system
with 42" plasma TV and 2nd. TV in bedroom.
Beautifully decorated and fully furnished. On site
satellite TV, CableTica TV, high speed internet, 2
swimming pools each with waterfalls, social areas,
mainly expat community, security, extensive manicured
gardens. Separate storage locker Shorter term (less
than 6 months) preferred.
Resales:
Unit 108: 2 floors, 2 bedrooms (one on each level),
2 1/2 bathrooms, Jacuzzi, walk-in vault, executive
class furnishings including a 42" plasma TV, east
facing terrace looking over the large pool and
mountains and a ground floor back terrace for outside,
private dining - $270K.
Unit 120: single floor, 1,300 sf, 2 bedrooms, 2
bathrooms, executive furnishings throughout,
beautifully decorated - $190K. We have an offer on
this unit but the offer hasn't yet been accepted.
Note: Same owner for both 108 and 120; the owner
wants to sell one of the two units. |
OUR LIVES
Friends have joined us for a week and we've spent time
renewing friendships and catching up on other friends
and happenings and showing off Costa Rica.
Lita has been focusing on making arrangements for her
son's arrival and activities during his stay.
But all this aside, the issue which has dominated our
lives and will continue to for some time, is that we
have lost our passports! This is a personal issue and
while I've always known it could happen, I guess I got
too casual about it. Supporting documents which I had
at one time, seem to be missing as well; moving so
many times over the past two years has, I'm sure,
contributed to the latter. Right now we are crying
over spilled milk; we'll have to get beyond that
stage and work things through. Like a lot of things
in life, it isn't going to be fun, fast, nor pleasant
but it has to be done.
..and if that isn't enough to deal with, Lita has
stirred the pot and it looks like another fun filled
evening of fabulous food, frivolity and
forgetfulness...
Brian, Lita, Hugo and irreverent Vicka, the pigeon
toed parrot.
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