((L-R) Pahlisch Homes team members Brooke Moore, Jill Hansen, Ana Bozich, Josh Pahlisch, Daaniël van Siereveld, Dan Pahlisch, Evan Harney, Brandon Olson, Jason Myhre, Linda Spittler, Tim Fyfe and Shelby Stevens (front, holding scissors) celebrate the launch of Meridian by Pahlisch Homes on May 7 | Photo by Leah Etling)
Bright spring blue skies and a festive atmosphere greeted dozens of visitors on May 7 at the grand opening celebration for Meridian, the newest master-planned community from Pahlisch Homes. Located at 61124 NE Cobalt Street and near outdoor recreation, shopping and medical resources in Northeast Bend, the event felt more like a neighborhood block party than a real estate launch.
When complete, Meridian will provide 48 much-needed mid-market single family homes for Bend families. The afternoon kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the Bend Chamber of Commerce. Potential buyers for the 17 currently available properties, which start at $549,000, mingled with local officials, neighbors and supporters.
“Everybody knows we need more housing, and this is a niche in the housing market that needs to be filled. Neighborhoods like this are so important,” said Katy Brooks, CEO and president of the Bend Chamber of Commerce, who attended the event.
The Chamber has taken a proactive role in pushing for more workforce housing, including raising $1 million to date to invest in small projects, especially those that provide entry-level opportunities for home buyers. The Chamber is not an investor in the Meridian development.
“We took a survey two years ago and 90 percent of business owners told us that the cost of living in Bend was the biggest deterrent to attracting and retaining talent,” Brooks said. She anticipated the neighborhood meeting the housing needs of nurses, teachers, firefighters, business managers and other similar jobs that are vital to Bend’s business and community viability.
Representatives from Pahlisch Homes welcomed guests, who could tour a beautifully staged model unit. A few homes are already occupied. Meridian features five traditional style models ranging in size from 1,180 to 1,927 square feet.
“When you think about Pahlisch Homes, we don’t build homes, we build community. If you start thinking about community, we’re not building a community, we’re building community,” said Jason Myhre, chief communications officer for Pahlisch Homes. “That’s what we strive for in everything that we do, and this one really is a perfect example of this. I love the feel of it, the design of it.”
He joked that this was the type of neighborhood where residents would pop next door to borrow eggs from their neighbors. “Well, maybe when the price of eggs comes down, you will get eggs,” Myhre said to laughs.
Throughout the afternoon and into the early evening, guests enjoyed live acoustic music, beer from Van Henion Brewing, and street tacos, fresh tortilla chips and guacamole from a Barrio food truck. “This is kind of an old-fashioned street party that you would expect when you move into a community like this, and I think that’s what’s going to happen with your neighbors here,” Myhre said.
In keeping with the theme of building new roots, a popular draw at the event was a planting station where guests potted small succulents and herb starts to take home. The party was also attended by a group of adoptable dogs from Bend nonprofit Street Dog Hero, whose wagging tails and hopeful eyes stole hearts instantly. Pahlisch Homes sponsored adoption fees for up to ten dogs.
