Construction Expected Soon on Proposed Oakview Crossing
Hartwell Mayor Brandon Johnson said he expects to see movement soon on a planned mixed use medical complex.
Oakview Crossing groundbreaking took place in 2012. Since then, no work has been done on the acreage on U.S.29
In September 2012, officials with AnMed Healthcare and Transitions Development Partners-Hartwell LLC joined state and local leaders in Hartwell to break ground on a $40-million dollar mixed-use development on U.S. 29/Anderson Highway.
Called Oakview Crossing, AnMed plans to build physicians offices as well as a diagnostic center in the development that will provide imaging and other tests, such as laboratory testing, x-rays and mammography.
In addition Oakview Crossing will also have a planned senior community, restaurants, retail shops and professional office space.
But since that groundbreaking, the the 46-acres between the Ingles and Wal-mart shopping centers that was once owned by the Kidd family has remained vacant pastureland.
Speaking at the recent Hart County Chamber’s Eggs and Issues breakfast, Johnson said he expects to see some activity on the land in the coming weeks.
“Things are beginning to move along quite nicely,” Johnson said. “We’re not at liberty to discuss too many details, but I can say things are moving along in hopes that something will begin happening in the coming days.”
In addition, a retirement/senior community to be called The Woodlands at Oakview Crossing is also planned on the property.
The Woodlands will be a full service senior and assisted living community consisting of 68 independent units and a minor continuum of care of 32 assisted living units.
Johnson did not say when construction on any of those projects would begin.
Another project Johnson said the City is working on this year is the taking over of Hart State Park. Johnson said the City of Hartwell continues to do its due diligence.
“The State still has the lease with the Corps,” Johnson said. “Our intention is to take the lease directly to the Corps which would take the State out of it. We want to see that park open again because it meant a lot to so many in this room and it would also have a big economic impact.”
In March of last year, the Hartwell City Council voted to take over the lease of Hart State Park from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Hart State Park is one of several Corps operated parks in Hart and surrounding counties that has closed or will close.
The City plans to hire a management company to take over the running of the park.