By Alyse Horn

As soon as weather permits, phase three of Columbus Square will be underway, with two of the five homes to be built already reserved.

Sally Flinn, partner and director of development for Fourth River Development, said these five homes will add to the nine that currently exist as part of phase three. The overall plan for Columbus Square calls for 31 homes to be built.

“The weather, the continuous cold temperatures and frozen ground has delayed us a bit,” Flinn said. “Although, we do have foundations permits in hand, equipment on site and property lines staked to begin as soon as we can.”

Flinn said the first four homes could be available as early as the end of July 2014, and that generous tax abatement programs from the City, School and County are available.

The homes that are still available are two three-bedroom townhomes located at 1240 and 1244 Juniata Street, and a four-bedroom home at 1252 Juniata Street.

“The Urban Redevelopment Authority also offers a second deferred mortgage for eligible buyers, so there are plenty of incentives to buy at Columbus Square,” Flinn said.

Each home comes with a full two-car garage with additional parking space in the driveway, as well as energy efficient appliances and construction methodologies.

The Fourth River Development 31-home project is in collaboration with Manchester Citizen’s Corporation and is funded by the state, PNC Bank, the Northside Community Development Fund and the URA.

The first phase of Columbus Square was completed in 2012, and the second phase was completed in the summer of 2013.

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