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| Developer Robert Barrus saw big potential in Duck Creek more than 12 years ago. He has been credited with taking the community to another level.
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DUCK CREEK, Utah -- As a native of Lake Tahoe, developer Robert Barrus saw a considerable comparison when he first witnessed the beauty of Duck Creek about 12 years ago.
Now 40, Barrus bought 260 acres in Duck Creek, surrounded himself with strong people and literally built the Park City of Southern Utah in what is now known as Duck Creek Pines.
A soft-spoken individual who dresses casually, Barrus mixes with everyone, serves on the homeowners association of his development and hardly looks the part of a wildly-successful businessman.
“This is absolutely beautiful country,” said Barrus, who combined half-acre lots with a state-of-the-art water system and strong CC&Rs to create what has become a favorite getaway. “We have a class of buyers that love the area while also being concerned with what their place looks like.”
Interestingly, the half-acre concept has disappeared because of Kane County ordinances which now require a minimum lot size of nines acres. In short, Barrus struck while the iron was hot and the end result has been cabins ranging from $400,000 to $1.5 million. Lot prices range from $100,000-$500,000.
To a degree, the philosophy “build it and they will come” fits perfectly in Duck Creek, which has a rich history including movies like My Friend Flicka, Stage Coach with John Wayne and John Ford and Thunder Head Son of Flicka.
“Robert has taken Duck Creek to another level,” said Greg DeMille, among the builders in Duck Creek. “There’s no question about that.”
In particular, Barrus’ foresight has led to a significant amount of buyers from Las Vegas, all of whom are seeking retreat from the rat race of Southern Nevada. In fact, the line of vehicles heading up Highway 14 east from Cedar City is usually steady beginning early Friday, as enthusiasts head for a quieter pace with beautiful scenery.
“I would estimate that 90 percent of our buyers in Duck Creek are from Las Vegas,” he said. “This has literally become a Vegas playground. It is the closest proximity for a high-altitude mountain getaway. With the lakes, the streams and the rest in Southern Utah, people love it up here.
“There is no more land available to develop in the Duck Creek area.
Barrus said putting the Duck Creek package together took about four years from concept to the very first phase of construction. The years 1996-1999 were spent working with four sellers. Once the water system was finalized, Duck Creek erupted in popularity.
“Duck Creek was popular before that, too,” said Jerry Koller, half owner of Duck Creek Realty, which markets Barrus’ product. “What Robert did was change this to year-around usability with the new water system. It has gone from seasonal to year-round. The roads are now plowed, and they weren’t before.”
The wild success of Duck Creek can easily be measured through the clientele it has attracted. From car dealers to doctors to gaming executives and lawyers, the customers have created a whose-who of residents.
“I have been up here for 12 years and the year-around water was the vehicle for making the area what it has become today,” said Jeff Hoyt, the Duck Creek area water manager for Kane County. “Because of the infrastructure Robert has put in, the area has been stimulated.
“Robert will go and look at areas with a conscience and a vision,” Hoyt added. “He specializes in areas that need a person like him to give it a boost. He helps an area grow and manifest with his foresight. This could definitely become an Aspen, Colorado because of its year-around access and recreational desires.
“If you look at it, we’re right smack dab in the middle of seven national parks including the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Escalante Staircase, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Cedar Breaks along with Lake Powell and Coral Pink Sand Dunes.
Hoyt said Duck Creek was popular before, but needed an impetus.
“Robert brought that to Duck Creek,” Hoyt explained.
Barrus and his wife, Charlotte, reside in Provo. The couple has one boy and three girls ranging in age from 6-15.
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