Work to Start on The Villages

Site preparation is expected to begin this spring on the $15-million first phase of the three-phase The Villages development surrounding the Singing Hills Golf Course in El Cajon.

The 340-acre project will have a total of 504 housing units when completed, including single-family lots, condominiums and estate homes, according to Michael S. Cavanaugh, president of Singing Hills Village Co., Del Mar, the developer.

The first of four “villages”--West Village--is expected to open late this year with 170 units priced from about $119,000 to $142,000. The development firm is a joint venture between First Service Corp., a unit of First Federal of Arizona, and 1415 Stratford Ltd., a limited partnership with Cavanaugh as general partner.