New sketches of the town center at Hammond's Ferry show a more intimate park setting and entertainment venue with about 40,000 square feet of available commercial space.
The updated version of Phase B, which will develop along the Savannah River and the Brick Pond Park, was presented Aug. 24 to city council and the planning commission by the Hammond's Ferry Partnership.
The session included an overview of how the design has accommodated the natural habitat of the brick ponds since development began in 2002.
The new Center Street and other thoroughfares will run perpendicular to the Savannah River, providing views when coming into Hammond's Ferry.
The revised plan takes development costs to $10 million from $15 million, with the foundation asking about $6.5 million from the city as part of the public, private partnership.
City Administrator Sam Bennett said several study sessions are still to come to discuss revenue projections for the commercial area of Hammond's Ferry, but most research shows that the revenue generated from the development will match the debt services the city takes on.
Mayor Lark Jones asked developers if there was any way of guaranteeing businesses would locate along the river.
"How do you ensure it is more than 'If you build it they will come?' and what if they don't come," he said.
Preliminary leasing will be done as development proceeds, said Turner Simpkins, vice president of LeylandAlliance, LLC, the developer of Hammond's Ferry.
City council also approved a $125,000 proposal to purchase 9.1 acres at Edgewood, West Pine Grove and Lake avenues for stormwater services. The space is designated as open preservation and will aid the city in stormwater management. The land is appraised at $105,000. The owner has until Friday to accept the offer.
Reach Julia Sellers at julia.sellers@northaugustatoday.com.
Online Extra: See the Hammond Ferry Development presentation. (PDF format)
