NATCHEZ — A newly razed swath of land behind the Natchez Mall has created quite a buzz in the real estate community.

The 32-acre tract was recently cleared to allow construction of a new gated community.

Owner of Coldwell Banker Stewart Realty Butch Stewart said this is one of the biggest home construction projects to come to Natchez in a long time.

“It is sorely needed,” he said.

The Preserve, a planned unit development, will feature patio homes, single-family dwellings, duplexes and townhouses.

The entire development will consist of approximately 75-80 units.

And while the development is still in its early stages local realtors say the potential buyers are already asking lots of questions.

Stewart’s listing agent Sandra Ellard said the high volume of calls at such an early stage is promising and unexpected.

Ellard said once plans for the development leaked the calls started coming in.

“We were just bombarded with calls,” she said.

Now that the construction site has been cleared, people are even more interested, Ellard said.

Though preliminary plans for the development have been drawn, final plans will not be completed until engineers have had an opportunity to survey the newly cleared plot.

Stewart said the new homes will not be as large as older homes in Natchez and will be low maintenance.

“That’s what people are looking for,” he said.

Ellard said once the land has been surveyed, a model should be completed by the first quarter of 2008, weather permitting.

Ellard said the development’s design, featuring several types of homes, was done to appeal to a wide range of buyers.

The development will feature single-family homes for first-time buyers and smaller families.

The new construction will also feature patio homes and town homes for those living in large homes who may want to downsize.

“We want to have something to offer everyone,” she said. “It’s really going to be a first class type neighborhood.”

The Preserve will also try to appeal to buyers wanting a second home or vacation home in Natchez.

And while having such a diverse group of homes in the same development may sound a bit odd, Ellard said it represents a new trend in home construction.

“Multi-use developments are popular,” she said.

Having several different home styles for buyers to choose from allows builders to maximize the land they are developing Ellard said.

Natchez Alderman Jake Middleton said revenue generated from the construction will be gladly welcomed in the city.

“Natchez has a need for construction,” he said.

Middleton said new businesses like the hotels; casino and prison will bring people needing new housing.

“For Natchez it’s a good thing,” he said.