We’re big on self-reflection here at Mill District, and there’s no better time to look back on accomplishments than at the end of a year. This is what makes December the month to recap production milestones from the previous 52 weeks.

Naturally, since 2021 was Year No. 5 of our journey to create Healdsburg’s newest neighborhood, we had more news this year than in any of the other years we’ve been working on this project. With that in mind, here’s a seasonal review of all the biggest happenings at Mill District.

January-March
It’s hard to believe now, but we broke ground on the Mill District project back in January 2021. We held a formal groundbreaking ceremony and local elected officials attended. In February, we unveiled our plans for developing the neighborhood sustainably, including our commitment to minimizing water usage. In March, crews from construction partner Ghilotti Bros, Inc. began laying infrastructure, both inside the site and out beneath Healdsburg Avenue.

April-June
While Ghilotti Bros, Inc. continued working on the site infrastructure, in April we began to prepare the southernmost part of the neighborhood for development of the community housing project, named The Exchange. In May we brought on Gregg Jennings to serve as senior construction manager and help Director of Design and Construction Jim Hall oversee day-to-day operations. By June we were wrapping up work beneath Healdsburg Avenue and were starting to pack down roadbeds inside the site.

July-September
In July, we broke ground on the Exchange. We also put in sidewalks and announced Canopy, our first phase of residences that will look out on the Preserve. Later in the summer, as the drought facing Sonoma County got worse, we redoubled our commitment to being water wise. When September came around, crews began installing Silva Cells beneath our sidewalks—subterranean catchments that allow for water conservation and tree growth.

October-December
The most recent season at Mill District has seen perhaps the biggest changes yet. In October we celebrated several community events at the site, and unveiled another category of residences called the Flats and our Garden Homes. Our crews also wrapped up work on Healdsburg Avenue, which reopened completely. Last month, we finished the roads inside Mill District and relocated our offices to a new space in the Harris Building with commanding views of the Healdsburg Plaza. Both were great ways to cap a busy year.

Looking forward into 2022, we’re excited to release our Purchaser’s Guide and begin vertical construction of Canopy. Stay tuned to the Sawflier for monthly updates throughout the year.

And Happy Happy New Year to you all!