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February,
1994 – Al Benner and three amigos visit
Costa Rica for the first time. The trip takes them
to the Osa Peninsula to a biological outpost, then
San Jose, the Arenal Volcano, as well as the
Gulfito Sailfish Rancho where the boys catch and
release 27 sailfish in four days. Al was “hooked”
on Costa Rica in more ways than one, and vowed to
return.
1993
– 2004
- The realities of life in the U.S. consume Al.
He starts and operates a handful of mail order/web
businesses, takes on several real estate projects in
the northeast, but continues to think about Costa
Rica. During 2004 a vision of a sustainable
community that would be relatively self-sufficient,
in harmony with nature, where like minded people
could enjoy a beautiful natural environment while
embracing the local culture and people begins to
take shape. The concept for Finca Las Brisas was
born, and would continue to evolve in the coming
months and years.
December,
2004 - Al and his new bride, Deena travel
to Costa Rica along with their good friends Keith
Jeffrey and Matt Hough (a business partner of
Al’s). The trip takes them to the interior
mountains of the country as well as the southern
Pacific coast and eventually, Monteverde. A handful
of properties are visited, and the Dominical/Ojochal
region on the South Pacific coast is targeted for a
real estate acquisition. Keith commits to Al to be
part of the dream.

January,
2005 – The following word
document was attached in an e-mail to friends and
acquaintances whom Al thought might share an
interest in his vision.
Click to
download “Paradise Found” in pdf.
February,
2005 – Al and his father, Professor Dave
Benner return to the Domincal area and intensify the
search for a finca at higher elevations with ocean
views and mountain breezes. Several farms are
thoroughly scouted, but each and every one has
drawbacks that keep Al from moving forward. Fond
memories remain for father and son of catching waves
together on boogey boards as the sun set over Playa
Dominical.
January,
2006 – Wayne McDonald,
lifetime friend, joins Al on yet another Costa Rica
adventure. This time however it is decided that the
journey will first start on the Nicoya Peninsula
with a visit to Al’s friends Jay & Darby Dodge who
own a house in Nosara.
When
he first got off the plane in Liberia, Al realized
he might have stumbled upon the ideal region for his
project. The humidity was all but non-existent and
a comfortable breeze was blowing. The two friends
breezed through customs and were at the Hertz rental
car location literally within ten minutes of landing
(this continues to be the routine to this day with
Ernesto – always there, always smiling). The drive
to Nosara was very scenic with a good paved road by
Costa Rican standards. Within 1.5 hours Wayne and
Al would unknowingly pass by the “Macenco” turn off
and the 150 acres that would soon become the focus
of their energies for years to come.
While in Nosara, Wayne and Al
were impressed by the exceptional beaches, enjoyable
restaurants, and non-commercialized aspect of the
region. Two days later found them in the mountains
overlooking the beaches walking a property that
began to speak to them like nothing else had or has
since. Soon thereafter Al was on the phone with
American Airlines, re-booking his flight back from
Liberia instead of San Jose, and the remainder of
the trip to the southern part of the country was
canceled. Many more properties were visited in the
Samara/Nosara region during this trip, but the
friends found themselves continually returning to
the future site of the finca they would eventually
acquire. An amazing half day fishing trip with
plenty of fresh sushi to follow concluded what had
been quite a trip. Wayne excitedly phoned his wife,
Victoria, and the McDonalds had reached the point of
no return on becoming involved with the project.
March,
2006 – Jay’s neighbor, Greg Smith, had
generously extended the invitation to Al to stay at
his guest villa to continue to look at properties,
and Al takes him up on his offer, bringing one of
Deena’s closest friend’s – Darlene Coker’s husband,
Ray along to see the area. Al and Ray agreed to
meet at the Miami airport as Ray was connecting from
Tampa and Al from Philadelphia. When Al saw Ray in
Miami he was told a story that although hard to
believe, would later be repeated again and again in
different ways as the project began to unfold, and
continues to this day. Ray explained how the car
service that was supposed to pick him up never
showed, and how Darlene then decided to take him to
the airport directly. What they encountered were
highways that were for some reason completely
closed. A long, back way to the airport was used,
but Ray got to the terminal check in just 20 minutes
prior to his plane taking off.
Given today’s lengthy security
process, Ray assumed he would never make the flight,
but on a whim decided to pull a $20 out of his
pocket and began shouting that he had to get on a
flight bound for Costa Rica and would anyone let him
in line. The lines parted and Ray went right to the
front, only to encounter a skeptical agent who
proceeded to inform him that the gate was about to
close and there was really no way he could ever get
through security in time to have any chance of
making the flight. Ray mentioned something to the
agent about her believing in “karma” and the next
thing you know he had a boarding pass and was
running for the security line. Problem: the line
was as long as they get – it wasn’t going to
happen. Ray again pulled out his $20 and began
waiving it frantically and explaining his need to
meet his friend for a trip to Costa Rica.
Incredibly the same thing happened again - hundreds
of people let Ray through, with some even yelling at
others who were in his way or moving slowly through
clearance. Ray passed through the gauntlet and
somehow sprinted to the gate as they were closing
it….
Fast forward 24 hours: Ray and
Al are on the property, and this easy going man,
deep thinker, and one of the funniest and sarcastic
guys we know, who had recently turned 50 became a
boy again before Al’s eyes… “He just couldn’t seem
to contain himself – the property excited him so
much - he began talking about all the future
possibilities and how much his son, Ben would love
the Finca”….The next day he phones Darlene, who
later explains the conversation as one of the most
surreal she has ever experienced – “Ray was
talking as if we were already owners of the property
and he just couldn’t seem to contain himself.”
April -
July, 2006 - The sustained push. At this
juncture Al Benner’s vision had taken on a new
dimension – three partners and a very large piece of
property with endless possibilities. But the dream
was far from being realized. Born to Al and Deena
on April 25th were twin boys, Owen & Coleman. Added
to this was the pending sale of Al’s largest
business and the due diligence for the Costa Rica
acquisition. A stressful period to say the least.
“Due diligence” would be an understatement – the
firm that the partners chose to put the deal
together and do the proper investigations for land
title, etc was Costa Rica Expertise, headed
by Garland Baker, a 30 year veteran of helping
foreigners establish themselves in CR and a
contributing writer on Real Estate issues for the
online newspaper, A.M. Costa Rica. Highly
recommended by Al’s friend Jay Dodge, Garland was
incredibly thorough, double checking every possible
scenario and record imaginable. When he met the
partners in June at the site he had a stack of
papers for the pending acquisition that was over 6”
thick. Needless to say the partners have been very
comfortable with the level of detail of his services
and this provided the group with the confidence
needed to move forward with a real estate
transaction of this scope in a foreign land.
June,
2006 - The deal almost doesn’t happen. The
partners travel to Costa Rica in anticipation of
signing the documents that would give them clear
title to the 150 acres of forest, pasture, and
rivers that make up the finca. Problem: the
additional section of land that had been added to
the property to provide access to the nearby dirt
road was much narrower than anticipated and did not
get around a gulch that would have required a 100’
bridge to span it – something completely out of the
question. At this juncture, the acquisition was
literally disintegrating before the partner’s eyes.
It was at this point in time
that Al Benner realized if he didn’t think quickly
on his feet (literally everyone was standing a soggy
cow pasture), that the deal wasn’t going to happen.
Speaking limited Spanish, Al was often relying on
the one bi-lingual landowner to communicate with the
other farmer, Rapha Morales…Al asked to find out if
Rapha would allow access to go through his property
on the other side. This would involve turning a 1.4
kilometer cattle trail into a well constructed year
round access road.
The group moved over to the old
muddy trail and soon thereafter Rapha made the
decision to allow access. This gesture of goodwill
on his part will forever be appreciated.
The acquisition was back on
track, but far from completed.
During this trip Ben was the
first of our children to visit the finca. A typical
kid who would rather play Xbox than eat and who has
far too many toys in his closet. And even though he
has traveled pretty extensively for a 7 year old,
this was his first trip off the grid hiking into the
finca everyday. Sometimes we miss the boat on what
kids really enjoy when growing up as we raise them
in the modern communities we live. One day on the
trip he whispered to his father, "This machete was
the best present I ever got!" He was also the first
to mention bringing in the road on the other side of
the hill through the woods. But hey, he was a kid,
who was listening?
Also on this June trip to the
property, the partners were joined by Al’s builder
friend and co-member of the local Philadelphia
Chapter of the “EO” (Entrepreneur’s Organization),
Mark Janiczek. Since that time Mark has become
involved with the project, joining each weekly 3
hour conference call, and making multiple trips to
the finca. Mark’s experience with high-end
construction and renovation on the mainline area of
Philadelphia combined with his enthusiasm,
experience and passion for green build techniques
and materials, make Mark a tremendous addition to
the team.
August, 2006 Final negotiations and due
diligence are completed and a final offer and
agreement of sale is presented on behalf of the
partners by Garland, and accepted by the two Costa
Rican farmers and one American who had ownership
stakes in the adjacent properties that make up the
finca. The long 6 month process now behind them,
the partners begin to turn their attention to
activities related to the sustainable development of
the property.
September
– December, 2006 - The partners travel to
the site twice during this period and secure a
contractor and plan for construction for their 1.2
kilometer access road that takes them past Rapha’s
farmhouse, through a forested area and then back up
to high ground and into the Finca. The road is
completed by early January and is hailed half
jokingly by many locals as “the best road in Costa
Rica”. Many local residents come out to see the
road, some by horseback and some on dirt bikes or in
vehicles. The road bed utilized extra large drain
pipes and more “lastre” (local gravel) than normal
and it was also compacted more than normal so that
it would last as long as possible.

January, 2007 -
A trip was coordinated that brought close to
twenty people to the finca for a two day tour and
fiesta fundraiser at the adjacent schoolhouse.
For more details and photos, click here.
March, 2007
- A pivotal juncture for the project was reached
and a big step forward was taken. Mark Janiczek,
the partner’s green builder friend and
initial lot investor accompanies Al to the site and
the trip sees many milestones reached. Most
importantly, a San Jose engineering firm, Deppat
www.Deppat.com is retained by the partners to
conduct all site plans, surveying, lot divisions,
and engineering studies. Al and Mark meet at length
with the General Manager for the firm, Eugenio
Bermudez
and were very impressed with his knowledge,
attention to detail, and personable nature. After
in person, on site meetings with several firms, the
partners feel highly confident in their selection
of Deppat to be handling all their site planning and
engineering work.
Other milestones included the
successful testing of a block press from which to
make compressed earthen blocks (10% cement and 20%
sand, 70% clay based soil found on the finca).
Steve Gallant, a Canadian citizen now living in
Costa Rica built the press and delivered it to the
site. Several blocks were produced, and the proper
ratios of ingredients and moisture content were
zeroed in on, with several blocks of high strength
being produced. The partners are now most
optimistic about their ability to utilize on-site
soil to construct earthen building
blocks.

The “Living Fence” to keep
cattle off the access road was finished and as
Mark and Al departed for the airport, the final
India des nuda branches were being planted along
the fence line. This renewable resource was cut
from existing trees on the finca during the new moon
in March (peak moisture content) and now await May
rains to begin taking root in the fertile volcanic
soil. Within a year or two a permanent “living
fence" whose posts will last indefinitely will take shape. It should also be noted that the
wooden posts used to initially support the wire
fence were taken from a fallen rot-resistant
Nispero tree located on the finca.
Close to 50 bananas and
plantains of various species were also planted on
the property and will begin rapid growth during the
coming rainy season.
A decision was also made to
begin construction of a 14’ x 16’ rancho to
be constructed of teak and oil palm leaves growing
on the neighbor, Rapha Moreales’ land. This
structure will be positioned adjacent to the future
site of the community area overlooking the ocean and
entire property, and is anticipated to be completed
prior to the upcoming trip scheduled for late May.
The well drilling date was
finalized for April 9th. Topo maps of the site were
first “dowsed” by world renowned water dowser, Leroy
Bull, and expectations are high that water will be
found at 50 meters at a centrally located spot
adjacent to an internal driveway within the farm.
On April 20th we struck water at 40 meters with a confirmed
flow rate of more than 1 gallon per second!!
Click to read about this interesting story.
Other
plans taking shape include a work/storage structure
to be delivered that will consist of a retired 20’
sea transport container that would otherwise have
just rusted away over time. This unit will be
covered by a roof at a 22 degree angle toward the
south that will in turn be covered with amorphous
“peel and stick” solar panels. These will be used
for powering the pump that will move water from the
well to a large storage tank at the high point of
the finca. The water will then be dispersed
throughout the community by gravity.
Plans are also underway for the
installation of a wind monitoring device that will
record wind speeds and directions for several months
in order to evaluate the viability and location for
a wind turbine. Of critical importance is to locate
any mills in an area that will have little to no
visual impact upon the community.
Finally,
a “charette” (a project brainstorming session) was
held on site, and included several guests, including
Andrew Zwick and his fiancé Andrea. Andrew is
heading up the design and implementation for all
systems for the project, including power, water, and
waste management. Swiss environmental scientist,
Christoph Hubmann also joined the meeting.
Christoph brings much experience regarding dry
forest re-generation and re-forestation know-how, of
which many techniques he will be implementing and
overseeing in the coming years. Rounding out the
group of experts were Eugenio Bermudez from Depatt,
and Jackie O’Neil, the first owner of a LEED
certified green build home in Pennsylvania. Also
present were John & Winnifred Mcleod from California
who were visiting the finca and ended up staying for
three days to further tour the property. This
enthusiastic couple even hiked down 700 feet
unaccompanied to visit the river corridor and
falls.
Al kicked off the meeting with
an overview of his vision for the community and Mark
Janiczek followed by leading a discussion that
focused on sustainable construction practices.
Using on-site and nearby resources as well as
renewable energy systems were a prime area of
discussion. The meeting was a big success with many
great ideas and visions being shared. A big thanks
to Andrea for taking notes during the meeting.
Rainy
Season 2007 - The summer has been
busy working on the road, putting in our living
fences and planting over 500 fruit trees and 250
coffee bushes. We have had a crew on-site everyday
building trails, working on the water system and
improving area of the finca impacted during the
rainy season so that we can be prepared to make
progress during the dry season.
Other notes of interest:
On a tour of the opposite side
of the river with the previous owner of the finca,
Don Modesto, it was learned that pottery shards and
stones used for grinding foods have been found in
the river bed and in a few other locations on the
property.
It appears that a high speed
internet connection is now available to tap into.
An aspiring American entrepreneur in the nearby
beach community of Garza has informed Ray Coker that
he believes his microwave network will reach the FLB
community, which will mean high speed internet
access.
A
local supplier in nearby “Filadelfia” was visited
and re-claimed roofing tiles and other materials
were observed and priced.
The potholes on the road from
Nicoya to Samara have all been fixed. This made for
a much more enjoyable and less stressful drive.
As always, the beaches were
spectacular…body surfacing at Playa Carillo was
particularly enjoyable….
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