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Building on tap in Loganville
Published January 4, 2008
LOGANVILLE — Construction appears to be the name of the game in the Loganville area as we begin the new year and it’s not just building construction — road improvements, parks and some public buildings are on the agenda for this year.
According to city officials, 2008 is the year the city will begin construction of the new firehouse on Old Loganville Road. Walton County also has plans for a fire station and driver’s license testing and renewal facility to be located on the other side of Loganville in the Between area. On the Gwinnett side of Loganville on Highway 78, land has already broken on the new North Loganville Commons. City Manager Bill Jones said he’s been told the development won’t just have Lowe’s as an anchor.
“I’ve been told there will also be a major electronics company, a major sporting goods store, a major office supply store as well as a large office supply company in that development,” Jones said.
However, the actual names won’t be confirmed by Faison for another 30 or 60 days, according to a spokesman for the company.
The city’s Planning Director Pat Chapman said the plans for Loganville Crossing with Kroger as the anchor are for a spring opening date but besides a Wachovia bank, she wasn’t sure of any other stores or restaurants yet confirmed for the development. Jones said Cracker Barrel has expressed an interest but to his knowledge no deal has yet been signed.
“There’s also a small retail center development planned for Teresa Lane at Highway 78 and I believe that’s going to be a new KFC and a bank,” Chapman said.
There is still road construction going on with the widening of Highway 20 from Grayson through to Ozora Road and, according to Walton County Commissioner Clinton Ayers, safety improvements are to continue or soon to start at the intersection of Bay Creek Church Road and Highway 81 as well as Sharon Church Road and Highway 20 and Sharon Church Road and Center Hill Church Road.
Ground was broken on the new Southwest High School and construction will begin on the school itself this year.
Several new parks or park improvements are also on the agenda this year with the land originally offered to Walton County Schools now offered to the county for a park. Last week the county voted to accept the donation of 15 acres with a condition to accept an additional 17 acres before July 1. The plans are for a park similar to West Walton Park to be developed on this property. which is located off Highway 81 near Green Circle north of Walnut Grove.
The master plan for improvements to Meridian Park on Highway 81, another donation from Darren McWaters of Meridian Homes, include a double gymnasium and inside walking track on which Ayers said construction should begin this year. According to the park Web site, there are also plans for an outdoor classroom.
Land was also recently donated for a pocket park on the corner of Bob Wood and Zion Wood roads inside the city and Jones said he is hoping to secure land for a city park for residents on the Gwinnett side of the city. |
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