Raven Hills development seeks to support Atchison community

by Catherine Halbmaier
Special to The Leaven

ATCHISON — A new neighborhood is cropping up here. Known as Raven Hills, the housing development will cater to not only Benedictine College students, but to families or retirees that want a charming, affordable home in town.

And charm is part of the package. According to the developers at Vision 4 LLC, each new home will be designed to blend in with the older, historic homes in Atchison. The first open houses will be held this year — one on March 29, with two more on May 17 and June 14.

Vision 4 LLC is a partnership between two married couples. Also lifelong friends, David and LeeAnn Egger have worked with John and Becky Thomas as local real estate developers, completing a number of stand-alone projects in Atchison with other planned communities throughout eastern Kansas. The Eggers have a daughter and son-in-law who graduated from Benedictine College. The couple also owns a home in Atchison, making them part of the thriving Catholic community that this neighborhood seeks to support.

Situated adjacent to Benedictine College, Raven Hills residents will be within walking distance from both the college and St. Benedict Church. Independence and Riverside parks also border the neighborhood, and downtown Atchison will be just a 20-minute stroll down the hill.

When completed, the neighborhood will include up to 60 new homes of various sizes. This development has been met with an outpouring of support from the local community, including Stephen D. Minnis, president of Benedictine College.

“I’m truly excited for the Raven Hills planned district and I’m thrilled to team up with the Egger and Thomas families to create this awesome new neighborhood adjacent to Benedictine,” Minnis said.

While several of the new houses will become student housing, the majority of Raven Hills will be available for young families, working professionals and retirees.

“The Atchison Catholic community continues to grow and thrive,” said Father Luke Turner, OSB, pastor of St. Benedict Parish. “Efforts like this initiative help to provide affordable, much needed housing in the beautiful historic neighborhood adjacent to St. Benedict Catholic Church and School.”

Of course, anyone seeking a new home in Atchison can benefit from this new housing option. Mayor La Rochelle Young of Atchison emphasized how Raven Hills will appeal to all generations of prospective homeowners.

“I was impressed that during the city approval process, the folks developing Raven Hills were willing to listen and respond to feedback from neighbors near the development site,” Young said. “This new neighborhood is going to appeal to multiple age groups, from young working families to retirees, all while blending in with the historic charm Atchison strives to maintain. Raven Hills will be a wonderful addition to our city.”

Vision 4 LLC already has good reviews from new Atchison homeowners. Mark Schell, vice president of Diamond Pet Foods, spoke highly of the developers.

“My wife and I recently purchased a home in Atchison from Vision 4 LLC. We were impressed with both the quality and the low costs in Atchison relative to larger cities,” Schell said. “With eight new homes completed or under construction in the planned district, a picture of a newly built, beautiful neighborhood with a nod to historic Atchison is taking shape.”

To learn more about Raven Hills and the upcoming open houses, send an email to: Vision4Athchison@outlook.com. Inquiries can also be made by text to (785) 550-6253.