Red Mountains, Black Deserts, and a Rusted Cactus.
A multi-part series regarding the impact of change on Kayenta property values
“BDR” Black Desert Resort (Part 1)
As the Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, “the only constant is change”. And nowhere is change more rapid or evident than right here amongst the towering red cliffs of Ivins, Utah! For those Kayenta residents who have lived in our community for 20 plus years, they likely don’t recognize today the quiet, simple and secluded lifestyle they bought into all those years ago. Even those of us who have lived in Washington County for 5 years or less can’t deny that the swift pace of transformation and growth here in our neck of the woods has been both exciting as well as, at times, disconcerting.
For most of us, our Kayenta homes represent the largest single financial investment in our personal portfolio of assets. Our desert homes in this stunning setting are a reflection of our years of hard work, sacrifice, self-discipline and even a measure of luck along the way. We rightfully and understandably are interested and concerned in anything that could potentially negatively impact the value of our home.
At Kayenta Homes & Properties, which is the only on-site residential real estate brokerage specializing exclusively in Kayenta, we never waver from our goal of working to establish greater home values across our community. The reason is simple. We live here. We work here. We own homes here. We’re your neighbors.
Though we don’t have a crystal ball allowing us to see what the future will bring, Kayenta Homes & Properties’ team of professional realtors (Jeff, Steve and Naomi) are actively involved in the residential real estate community, interacting daily with potential sellers and prospective buyers and studying emerging trends and measuring how they might affect home values in Kayenta.
The most high-profile looming change on the top of everyone’s mind is undoubtedly the election of a new United States president in the next few days, but we’re going to leave that political “hot potato” alone and instead focus these series of articles on sharing our observations on areas of change locally that have garnered a fair amount of discussion and/or controversy amongst residents. In this month’s article, we focus on Black Desert Resort (BDR).
Is there anyone in Kayenta who hasn’t heard of BDR or formed an opinion, either favorable or otherwise, about this $2.5 billion resort, which includes a Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course, hotel, conference center, condominiums, lagoon, etc currently under construction just down the road from Kayenta? With the promise of more than 20 new dining options, PGA and LPGA tournaments, and plans for much more (12,000 arena, anyone?), the opening of BDR will change life on the west side of St. George forever. Whether we like it (many do!) or not (BDR does have its detractors), it’s here to stay. The best possible outcome for everyone at this stage is for the resort to realize its potential while being the best possible steward of the amazing lava-rock-studded location upon which it sits.
The recent inaugural PGA tournament, which everyone feared would cause terrible traffic delays and jams, never really materialized in any meaningful way and it seems that a collective sigh of relief was heard around Ivins that the event came off without a hitch (at least to those observing from afar). The jury is admittedly still out on the long-term impact of change to the area from BDR as construction barrels ahead so stay tuned.
So, will BDR ultimately have an influence on Kayenta from a home value point of view? Kayenta Homes & Properties is confident that the increased awareness and visibility of our beautiful part of the world on the national stage, arising from the television broadcast of prestigious events such as the PGA tournament and the promotion of the luxurious 5 start resort itself, will impress and attract visitors and prospective buyers to our corner of the world. Golf’s target demographic, coupled with the price point of nightly lodging and condominium market prices at BDR, will draw an affluent clientele. Further, BDR will employ hundreds of people, which will stimulate the local economy.
Kayenta, with its proximity to BDR but with its polar-opposite vision of moderate growth and land usage and being situated in a “national park-like setting”, could very well become even more appreciated for its uniqueness than it already is, resulting in a spike in home values as these affluent visitors to BDR venture out from the resort and discover the distinct difference and quality of life that Kayenta has to offer. Kayenta’s focus on slow growth with lengthy construction timelines, could lead to supply/demand issues that would drive prices higher on existing home inventories as awareness and popularity of Kayenta increases. On the other hand, a potential challenge might be how the Art Village galleries, restaurants, and cultural offerings will complement those of BDR and continue to thrive. In summary, time will tell but each of us has a front row seat to see how the future unfolds as BDR arrives on the scene.
The impact of change on Kayenta property values (Part 2)
At Kayenta Homes & Properties, which is the only on-site residential real estate brokerage specializing exclusively in Kayenta, we never waver from our goal of working to establish greater home values across our community. The reason is simple. We live here. We work here. We own homes here. We’re your neighbors. We actively stay abreast of issues and trends that could impact home values in Kayenta.
In last month’s Kayenta Connection, we discussed the impact the proposed Black Desert Resort could have on our community and our individual home values specifically. In this month’s article, we’re focusing on an issue closer to home and nearer and dearer to many of our hearts…the recent change of ownership of Xetava Restaurant and Rusted Cactus Tapas Bar, which have served as the unofficial gathering space for Kayenta residents for many years.
Xetava/Rusted Cactus ownership changes
After almost 20 years, there has been a recent change of ownership in Xetava Restaurant and the Rusted Cactus Tapas Bar. An insightful article covering this transition has been written and included in the Spotlight section further down in this edition, and we encourage you to read it to learn more about the specifics of this change.
These two eateries sit adjacent to the real estate office and it’s undeniable that on the days these restaurants are opened, the amount of foot traffic in the Arts Village is significantly higher than on those days when they are closed. As many of you are aware, Kayenta Homes & Properties maintains sandwich boards and window displays and keeps the office open 7 days per week to take advantage of the drop-ins and inquiries from diners and village shoppers. Frequently, diners who are waiting for a table to open up next door stop by our office to learn more about the vision of Kayenta. Questions are answered and relationships are formed. In several instances, this has led to serious inquiries and home purchases.
We anticipate that, with the recent changes being made (including reservations being accepted and the eateries being opened seven days per week) that foot traffic and corresponding drop-ins to the real estate office will increase as well, enhancing our ability to successfully market your home for sale, if and when the time comes.
Not surprisingly, the value of our personal real estate investments is influenced by the vibrancy and success of the restaurants, art galleries, and performing arts center, so we see the injection of money, menu ideas, and enthusiasm as a very strong sign for the health of Kayenta as a whole and our home values, by extension.
The impact of change on Kayenta property values (Part 3)
In the last two Kayenta Connection’s, we’ve discussed the impact of the Black Desert Resort and the Xetava/Rusted Cactus ownership changes on our community and by extension our Kayenta property values. In part 3 of this series, we are shifting our attention to the new soccer complex that has just recently opened directly behind and adjacent to the Shivwits Gas Station and Convenience Store on Highway 91.
Shivwits Soccer Fields
Ever since the Utah Youth Soccer Association (UYSA) announced the creation of The Legacy Fields in conjunction with the Shivwits Band of Paiutes several years ago, anxious eyes have been cast towards the area directly behind and to the side of The Shivwits Convenience Store on Highway 91 for construction to begin. The soccer complex’s stated goals for the community are 1) to provide a much-needed location for sporting events; 2) to increase the number of visitors to St George, thus benefiting the local economy; and 3) to promote greater understanding of and appreciation for The Shivwits Band and Southern Paiute culture. For the Paiute, the complex will 1) provide an additional source of revenue and jobs for some tribal members; 2) will be available for the tribe to utilize for its own gatherings events to contribute to tribal unity; 3) will positively impact the profitability of the convenience store and gas station; and 4) will be available to tribal mebers of all ages to use the location for exercise and recreation.
The Legacy Fields is a soccer complex consisting of 5 playing fields covering 19 acres of reservation land, recently opened with towering stadium style lights to enable both daytime and nighttime games. Understandably, there has been concern expressed about the loss of our dark skies, which are such an integral part of the Kayenta living experience, and the impact this could bring to our home values.
We’re pleased to report, however, that the Shivwits and the UYSA have worked together to install state-of-the-art technology to the sports field lighting with a commitment to impact Kayenta and surrounding communities the least amount possible. The end result is that the Legacy Fields soccer complex nighttime lighting is far less impactful than those installed at Archie Gubler and Unity Parks in Ivins and the softball complex off Snow Canyon Parkway in St. George.
In fact, the Shonto Point HOA Board of Directors, much relieved by the lighting used at Legacy Fields, recently sent a letter commending the Shivwits on a job well done, citing the project as a “beacon of hope for the prospect of future night skies”. Maintaining the protected night skies (or at least seeking ways to minimize the impact of development on our dark skies) will have a positive impact on Kayenta homes values. The dark skies are always touted by Kayenta Homes & Properties as a strong selling point of our community.