Fairhaven Heights

Map Outlining Fairhaven Heights.	Fairhaven Heights Is Name For Ochman Plot. If and when Niles absorbs the 1,100 acre tract north of the city now seeking annexation, it will inherit a carefully planned and attractive allotment which will eventually contain more the 400 homes. Andrew J. Ochman, better known to many as “Handy Andy”, is the developer of the Niles–Cortland Road–Route 422 plat which will feature homes designed for modern, graceful living in keeping with the times. Ochman will direct the development of the new allotment while Hugh Slaugenhaupt of Niles will act as sales manager for the tract which will be known as Fairhaven Heights.

Bounded on the east by Niles–Cortland Road, the north by Rt. 422 and the west by Mosquito Creek, is a site endowed with gently rolling sloping ground and has been subdivided into 407 lots. Fairhaven Heights will be developed by Ochman principally for construction of his own homes but other builders will be allowed to buy lots and build within the allotment, either for themselves or others. Ochman and Slaugenhaupt both feel Fairhaven Heights is the answer for many area residents who want a home at a reasonable price but are leery of developments in which every house is alike. There will be seven basic floor plans offered to prospective buyers in Fairhaven Heights but the variations on those floorplans are virtually limitless. Homes can be built with a basement or on a slab foundation, with or without attached garage and with or without completely modern electric or gas kitchens. Fairhaven Heights will be designed for homes in the medium price class, ranging from $13,000 to $19,000. Homes on the choice lots with basements and completely equipped kitchens will be near the $19,000 mark while smaller homes on a concrete slab will range near $13,000. Veterans will be able to purchase a home on a GI loan for 5% down plus closing costs and can have up to 30 years in which to pay though they can also finance the homes for a shorter period. Deadline for most World War II veterans on their GI home loans is July 1957 and Fairhaven Heights may offer some of them the home they’ve been waiting for but couldn’t afford until this new development. Ochman revealed this week that he plans to break ground on the Fairhaven Heights allotment in early spring and expects to have between 50 and 100 homes completed by December 1956. Fairhaven Heights will include paved streets (asphalt), sewers, city water, gas, and electric power, street lighting, and police and fire protection. Driveways will be built for all homes and Ochman estimates the entire allotment will be completed within about three years though the work could be done sooner if the demand made it necessary. A Cleveland paint company will paint all the Ochman–built homes in the development and will use a different color scheme on each home, thus eliminating the appearance of a “project” in Fairhaven Heights. Acting as developer, builder, and seller, Ochman is able to build homes in Fairhaven Heights at a lower cost than many other similar allotments. One of the model homes to be built in Fairhaven Heights is on display at Handy Andy, a restaurant in McKinley Heights on Rt. 422 north of Niles from noon to 9 pm each day and further information on Fairhaven Heights can be obtained there. Niles Daily Times February 18, 1956 by Fred Kearney.