Brief River Ridge Run Historical Overview In 1975 Coley Properties, Inc. bought the old Bowman Farm and created River Ridge Run Subdivision as Hickory‚ most exclusive and only gated lakefront community.
Visible signs of financial problems began in 1979. Auctions were held for unsold lots, and the RRR Maintenance Co. was formed as residents repaired the then-private roads, and maintained amenities. The Maintenance Co. evolved into the RRR Homeowners‚ Association, and then into the RRR Property Owners‚ Association. Finally, Coley was foreclosed upon leaving residents with an incomplete subdivision and great risks on their investments. More than two decades of hard work by many volunteers has resulted in an attractive neighborhood with a functioning, protective owners‚ organization.
The RRRPOA did not take ownership of the amenities as their charter directs. A smaller group of residents bought the amenities from the Bank and has operated it for the benefit of the neighborhood up until the present. This group is known as RRR Associates. As participation from FDA members faded, Swim & Racquet Club memberships were opened to the public. The amenity package includes the pool, tennis courts, barn, club house, pond and some trails. Technically, all areas except the trails lie outside of River Ridge Run subdivision and carry no restrictive covenants.
The westernmost parcel was purchased by another group known as Lake Forest Associates. LFA attaches covenants to lots as they sell which are similar to those used by Coley on sections I & II. Under agreement with RRRPOA, the newer section IV lot owners belong to RRRPOA, paying the same annual dues and receiving administration from POA. Also LFA agreed to donate a lake lot as a RRR-wide boat launch lot when developed by POA. This lot was transferred to POA, but reversing the earlier vote, POA deeded the lot back to LFA. Dredging the lakefront of this lot is now prohibited by Duke Power being a newly-protected environmental area. This lot has now been formally withdrawn from dedication to neighborhood use.
The easternmost undeveloped 57 acre parcel (to have been RRR section III) was sold by the Bank to Mr. Larry Maher without RRR restrictions.
This confusing collection of groups with overlapping members has given rise to misunderstandings and therefore this history of the neighborhood is now included as part of the neighborhood guide.