ABQjournal: Work Begins on Old Unit 16 By Rory McClannahan,

Journal Staff Writer

RIO RANCHO — A 10-year effort to develop a massive tract of land between Southern Boulevard and the

Bernalillo County line culminated in a groundbreaking for Cabezon Communities last week.

Work on putting houses on the 912-acre

tract, which is flanked by Unser and Golf Course roads, is expected to be under way within the next couple of weeks. The developer, Curb.

Inc., held the groundbreaking to discuss the master plan for the project.

”This is going to be a community, not just another

subdivision,” said Stan Strickman, president of Curb Inc.

The development will include 3,500 houses and townhouses,

commercial areas, trails and a sewage treatment plant. …

Rio Rancho Mayor Jim Owen said Cabezon’s development is part of the

city’s goal of consolidating antiquated properties for development. The antiquated properties were platted before the city incorporated

in the early 1980s and are not subject to land-use controls put in place by the city.

No mention was made of how

many golf courses will appear in this 1.5 square mile desert ”community,” how much water it will soak up or anything about public

transportation. mjh