River Life shaping up in niche neighborhood

A serene Columbia glides under The Dalles Bridge and in front of the new riverfront home in Lone Pine Village, the first in the subdivision’s most coveted lots.

Columbia sits front and center for those seeking to settle out west, err… east

By Tom Peterson

Stairway to Heaven - Can you see the kayak lying on your pebbled beach?

Maybe you want to walk out your front door and climb in your kayak.

Maybe you just want to throw a line in the water and wait for the tip of a rod to twinkle.

Or maybe you just want to walk a block to your local neighborhood wine bar and liven up a plate of charcuterie with a Cabernet Franc.

By all means, go right ahead.

But do it in The Dalles.

The Lone Pine Village subdivision is picking up as the water calls to those seeking refuge in high-end finishes next to the Big River.

Mosaic backsplashes, bamboo cabinets, and a “terrible view” are just a few of the attributes of a new build on Southshore Lane in the subdivision near The Dalles Bridge, said Scott Chance, Adams Construction Project Manager.

The high-end home is one of several the company has built in the last year, including a duplex. This property attracted an East Coast couple who contracted with Adams for the build.

Project Manager Scott Chance with Adams Construction said custom builds are picking up with higher-end construction. And the views are terrible, he joked, while looking out on the Columbia from the living room window.

Why the influx of investment? 

“You can get more bang for your buck down here, say compared to Hood River or farther west,” said Chris Schanno, manager of Lone Pine Land & Cattle LLC, which owns the land in the subdivision. “Suddenly people are noticing The Dalles is a nice community, a nice place to stay and what a view.” 

And prices are not so bad either. Buyers are in the million-plus category in Hood River or Portland for riverfront homes with some property.

Homes in this neighborhood are staying under the million-dollar mark while providing the space for some elbow room.

Chance said recent interest in The Dalles has him working in more high end .

“Our history is mostly remodels and commercial work,” Chance said. “Now all of a sudden we're building more custom homes.” 

Salvador Calderon cuts some mosaic tiles for the backsplash in the kitchen of a custom home on Southshore Lane in the Lone Pine Village

Chance’s first is on Southshore Lane, a neighborhood loop in Lone Pine that sits on the flood washed banks of the Columbia River.

The 2,000-square-foot home with an 800- square-foot garage comes with 10-foot ceilings, wood-like tiles, and a Navien boiler system to warm the floors and home. 

Quartz countertops, ground and polished aggregate, solid wood doors and a view at every window finish this custom home.

“We’re always looking for the next one,” Chance said.

Calderon’s handy work

Well, he and the Adams Construction crew may soon get their wish.

Lots in the neighborhood are selling, and excavation and framing are happening on both sides of the street.  

“Hopefully there will be eight houses up by this summer,” said Schanno. “We hope to make it the nicest neighborhood in the city.”

Schanno said he was surprised that the first section of the neighborhood built out so quickly, noting they purchased the subdivision three years ago.

Adolfo Mollinedo basks on a blue-sky January day outside Tierra De Lobos wine bar in the Lone Pine Village. He said neighbors in the new subdivision were signing up for wine club memberships.

The section of 25 homes on Blue Heron Court and abutting streets, which are farther away from the river, has been purchased by a diverse group of people, ranging from police officers, doctors, younger couples, and multi-generational families. 

Chris Schanno

“I see a boom of children and strollers there,” he said. “There are older and younger groups.”

The neighborhood also comes with its own wine bar.

Tierra De Lobos (land of the wolves) sits right at the entrance to the neighborhood. Bonus. Walking distance for those who imbibe. Adolfo Mollinedo and Gabino Fuentes own and operate the community hub. They grow their grapes in Dallesport and make their own wine. They’ve been operating for several years, obviously with an eye to the neighborhood’s finish.

“The new neighbors are joining our wine club,” Mollinedo said, gesturing to the new homes to the west.

“Adolpho is a great guy, and it fits in well,” Schanno said. “They did a great job of incorporating it with the condos that were already there. It’s a good community, a nice little area.” 

Schanno said they had 50 acres within the subdivision and there is land earmarked for commercial endeavors on property closer to McDonald’s. And he hoped that a grocery might come in and fill the niche. 

Framing crews began the first floor on this second home going up on riverfront property in the Lone Pine Village on Friday, Jan. 29.

“We need to lighten the load on Fred Meyer and Safeway and Grocery Outlet. We’re in dire need of another grocery store,” he said.

The steady building is leaving little time for local subcontractors. 

For example, Adam’s Construction used Coburn Electric, Alpine Plumbing J.J. Castro Construction to do work on their home build. 

“It’s nice to see local guys like James Green, Tanner Elliott, and Dave Adams building homes because they are putting money back into the community,” Schanno said.

The subdivisions’ success is also an outcome of the hard work of The Dalles Community Development Department. 

“Dawn Hert is fantastic to work with,” he said of the senior planner. “She is invaluable to the community for what she knows and how hard she works.”