For the past 50 years, builder, developer Joe Mercurio has been focused on his goal to create affordable housing for middle class buyers. “By developing lots, building homes, and marketing them myself, I could offer housing at fair prices,” he pointed out.

“After a half century, my wife and I are looking forward to a change of pace, catching some Mud Hens and Tigers games, gardening, and enjoying nature,” Mercurio said.

Knowing he was looking forward to hanging up his hard hat, Mercurio found property on Alexis Road to build his “swan song” project, Aurora Place. Only four of the 31-villa complex remain available. Each has two bedrooms, two baths, private deck, attached garage, along with many amenities including granite countertops.

Perfect as a starter home or for those looking to downsize, the villas are priced at $162,900.

Mercurio and son Michael, who has worked with his dad for 25 of those 50 years, patterned Aurora Place after a successful development, Kensington Gardens Villas, in Waterville. “I wanted to finish my career in my hometown so I was happy to find the parcel on Alexis and Whiteford roads,” he noted.

Other Mercurio-led projects include single family homes in Thousand Oaks, Countryside Estates, Country Meadows, Cottages at Olander, Victoria Court, and Bridgehampton Woods along with Flanders Hill single family and condominiums. Mercurio also developed, built, and marketed Renaissance Place Office Park and strip center on Holland-Sylvania Road, one of the Sylvania Area Community Improvement’s top projects in 2000-2001.

Mercurio credits a long career to his early-on mentor, a family friend who got him started in the business by sharing his construction expertise. “I am still learning, but now it’s from people younger than me,” he smiled.
“And I am also so grateful for my family’s support and especially that of my son Michael. It has been such a joy to work with him all of these years.”