A decade ago, ABS Global of DeForest announced ambitious plans for a giant agri-science village on 680 acres in the town of Windsor that would create 5,900 jobs at agribusiness companies and spawn up to 1,600 homes.

The $300 million development, modeled after the company-linked city of Kohler, was planned to be a center for ABS Global's cloning technology. The company, which sells bull semen, had recently cloned a calf successfully.

Those plans didn't work out. Cloning didn't take off as expected and Infigen, a biotechnology company spun off from ABS Global, closed in 2004.

Park Towne Development of Madison has picked up the pieces in the area that since has been annexed into DeForest.

Park Towne has been developing three residential neighborhoods and has plans for commercial development, parks and enhancements to a large natural area.

The Park Towne development, known as Conservancy Place, has 60 single-family homes and the company opened Rivers Turn, the third of four neighborhoods, last fall.

Jim Ring, Park Towne president and chief executive, said Conservancy Place homes have an average assessment of $415,000 and provide balance to the DeForest housing market, which he said has a lot of lower-priced starter homes.

Commercial development has gone more slowly, but Ring said Park Towne is seeking partners for a new concept that will emphasize sustainability, accessibility and wellness.

"We're trying to bring all those facets together to create a unique, livable community," he said, adding that he couldn't offer more details now.

A centerpiece of the development is a 142-acre environmental corridor along the Yahara River. Ring said his company is working on a plan for DeForest to use grant money to buy the land, then his company would use the purchase money to develop walking trails, overlooks and other features.

Ring said Conservancy Place hasn't followed the grand design originally announced by ABS Global, but it will balance residential and commercial development while enhancing natural resources.

"The whole grand concept needed the Infigen technology to really spur those partnerships," he said. "Our focus is not strictly on these type of businesses but on office and research."

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