The historic Aetna Springs Resort in Pope Valley is coming back to life.

Developers Bill Criswell and Robert Radovan plan to hold a grand opening on the Fourth of July for the resort’s golf course and clubhouse, the first phase in a project that they hope will restore Aetna Springs’ reputation as a premier resort.

In addition to the resort, the developers are selling ag-zoned lots for home sites. Sixteen sites are for sale near Aetna Springs, averaging between 30 and 40 acres. Another 30 lots, averaging 80 acres, are being offered down the road at Lake Luciana.

Five of the Lake Luciana parcels have been sold. Criswell and Radovan didn’t disclose their prices, but said they expect to get about $3.5 million per parcel for the Lake Luciana lots and about $2.5 million per parcel for the Aetna Springs lots.

Starting in the late 19th century, long before Napa County was known for its wines, Aetna Springs was a popular destination for the rich and famous. It fell into disrepair and went out of business in the 1970s. For a time it was owned by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church — the Moonies — and subsequent efforts to revive it have failed.

But Criswell and Radovan, the developers behind the swank Calistoga Ranch, have had success by sticking with the resort’s old use permit. Because the resort’s nine-hole golf course never closed, the use permit has stayed valid, allowing the developers to rebuild the resort with accommodations for 200 guests per day.

Sneak peek in April

Only the restored golf course, tennis courts and newly built 8,800-square-foot clubhouse will open this year.

The resort’s historic buildings — the oldest dating back to 1873 — will be restored in the next two years, with overnight accommodations probably becoming available in 2010. Criswell and Radovan will also construct a winery and caves that were permitted under a previous owner.

Architect Scott Johnson, who designed Opus One Winery, designed the new clubhouse.

In late April the golf course and clubhouse will be opened for a sneak peek to members who played the golf course before it closed for renovation in 2006. About 150 of these “Heritage” memberships have been sold so far.

Pope Valley neighbors have been wary of the impact of all the development on traffic, water and housing.

Criswell and Radovan said they’ve tried to address those concerns by being open about their plans.

The developers said none of the new homes will be visible from the valley floor. About 1,000 acres of ridgeline property will be protected from development through a nature conservancy.

A draft environmental impact report is being prepared for the Lake Luciana project, which includes 30 home sites and a private 18-hole golf course.

The developers said their 10 percent share in the local Juliana Mutual Water Company will be sufficient to meet the project’s water needs. The Lake Luciana homes will use existing private vineyard roads to reach Pope Valley Road.

One issue the developers admit they haven’t found a solution to is housing for Aetna Springs employees, which they said is a priority. The approximately 30 employees who have been hired so far commute from as far away as Napa and Santa Rosa.

Criswell and Radovan said on-site housing won’t work, but they’re willing to work with other developers on affordable housing projects that could allow those workers to live closer to Aetna Springs.

“We have a strong belief that if you’re going to be involved in creating jobs in a community, you need to be involved somehow in dealing with where those people will live,” said Criswell.

Criswell and Radovan are not affiliated with Triad Communities, the development firm behind Pacific Union College’s Angwin eco-village proposed development. However, they did buy the Juliana Vineyards home sites from Triad in 2005.