It’s been a dream of leadership and many residents in the town of Avon for quite some time. In fact, Town Manager Ryan Cannon can recall discussions about a community gathering place prior to 2018, but it wasn’t until 2020 that they began making plans with a developer and Easton Grey officially became a focus on the Town Council’s agenda.
Last summer, they broke ground on the property, and while portions of it are currently under construction and there’s still a long way to go, residents of Avon and beyond will soon see the unique development come to fruition.
The 500-acre mixed-use development is situated off U.S. Highway 36, on the north side of the road, directly across from the Washington Township Park entrance and along White Lick Creek.
There are three different projects on the property.
“We have approximately 500 units for our 55 and over development. Those homes are already being built, and I believe they’ve already sold two dozen of them,” Cannon said. “The other residential section is single-family homes. The first section of that development is now underway.”
The third project sits on 65 acres and will be called the Riverwalk District.
“The Riverwalk District is the town center concept. There will be a new civic center as the focal point of the district with staff from the town administration, school administration and possibly the township and chamber there,” Cannon said. “There will be a community room and a plaza in the front for events and community gatherings.”
The area will also include shopping, restaurants and other activities on the lower level and flats available on the two floors above them.
Economically, the development will serve as a benefit to the town as well.
It’s expected to generate $500 million in assessed value with new infrastructure and, overall, a positive addition to the town.
All residents in the Easton Grey development will have access to the Riverwalk District and the special activities and amenities offered there.
As seen in communities across the country, individuals and families are gravitating toward a development that includes walkability, activity, green space and more.
“There’s definitely been a shift in the desire for these types of developments with both the younger generation and the older generation. That’s why this works so well,” Cannon said. “People often come to Avon for the great schools, but for those who haven’t started a family yet or for those nearing retirement, they don’t need a 3,000 or 4,000 square foot home, and Avon is in need of that diversity of housing.”
Cannon said he has been working for the town since 1999, and one thing he has repeatedly heard from residents is their desire or need for a community space. Some communities have a courthouse square; others have a Main Street or the perfect greenspace location to invite everyone to join together for holiday events, farmers markets and more.
The town of Avon was missing that special destination.
“We want to create a vibrant place where people want to come and hang out. In order for the retail and restaurants to be successful, we need to attract and create energy in this space, so it may be a concert, a magic show or a movie night, but we want the community to have a place they can gather,” Cannon said.
Many Main Streets rely on the traffic to attract visitors; however, it doesn’t leave much room for walkability.
Unique to the Riverwalk District is perhaps its location and connection to plenty of pedestrian-friendly trails and greenspace.
“The town has purchased a park on County Road 625 between the Town Hall Park and the Riverwalk District. We’ll build a pedestrian connection there, along the White Lick Creek Trail, and you’ll be able to take it all the way to Town Hall Park or to Washington Township Park. It’s creating a greenway park system of sorts surrounding the creek,” Cannon said.
The entire project will take eight to 10 years before completion, with Riverwalk opening in the fall of 2026 or spring of 2027, but in the big picture, Easton Grey and the Riverwalk District will soon be a place everyone wants to spend the day.
“In just a year or two, we’ll have that center of Avon, and that’s a huge deal. This is a great project, and we’re excited to be a part of the process,” Cannon said.
