A place to put down roots

Sunday, October 19, 2003
George Simmons stands among the first 30 lots developed in his new Cotton Estates subdivision.

SIKESTON - When George and Sue Simmons decided to develop a new subdivision for Sikeston, the easy part was deciding on the name.

Looking over the land as crews worked to create streets and install water and sewer lines, Simmons said he scribbled several possible names then knew he hit upon just the right name - Cotton Estates.

"This has always been farmland planted in cotton," said Simmons. "That is where the name came from because it was chiseled out of a cotton field."

Now he hopes to offer families the chance to plant their own roots with 147 lots which will feature houses in the $75,000 to $125,000 range. It is a market, he said, that is needed in the community.

"For the last four or five years, the Chamber of Commerce has told me that Sikeston needed this kind of housing for low to middle income families," Simmons said. "What we are trying to do is give people in the middle income bracket a nice place to live and build a home."

Simmons said the subdivision's covenants are designed to emphasize quality homes that will make a neighborhood the homeowners can take pride in. There is a minimum square footage requirement of 1,200 square feet per house and because of the location on the Sikeston ridge, homeowners can include basements in their house plans, which Simmons said is unusual in the City of Sikeston.

"All homes will be excellently built - equal to any home in Sikeston," Simmons assured. "There will not be any shortcuts in construction."

While the Simmons are the developers of the subdivision, they will not be building the houses and instead are talking with several area contractors, who have shown interest in the site. Simmons said First Security State Bank has thrown its support to the project and has agreed to help buyers with the purchase of lots, the financing of construction, etc.

Located just south of Murray Lane, off Southwest Street, three streets are ready to go with 30 lots. Keeping with his theme, Simmons named the streets, Cotton Ridge Drive, Bollweevil Boulevard and Cotton Square Circle, which is zoned for duplexes while the other streets are restricted to single-family dwellings.

All of the houses are part of the Sikeston R-6 School district and the developer noted for those families with elementary school children, the Fifth Grade Center, located on Murray Lane, is within walking distance.

Simmons added: "We feel like there is a need for this in the city of Sikeston. It is a beautiful location, nicely laid out. This is a new beginning."

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: