Change studied for site on field

Evans Town Center in Columbia County has in store some changes that officials say could alter the area's focal point, which now is a government complex and courthouse.

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"It will be a very high-caliber park,'' said Barry Smith, the county's community and leisure services director, referring to a proposal to develop a 17-acre site behind the Kroger in Evans into a park. "The primary uses are basically for passive recreation, for special event activities, and one of the areas is large enough to have a concert in one area while another activity is going on in another area.''

The Evans Town Center Park idea was first presented at a public meeting Aug. 16.

At least one developer praises the idea.

"That's the first phase of our development facing out over the park,'' said Don Lawrence, of Marshall Square, a planned residential and commercial development off North Belair Road in Evans. "The luxury condominiums (as part of Marshall Square's first phase) will have balconies overlooking the park. We are happy to hear the county is doing that.''

Mr. Lawrence said he would like to have construction on a first phase of Marshall Square started by the spring.

Mr. Smith said that details of the Evans Town Center Park are in the preliminary stage and that public input will go a long way in helping officials determine whether to tweak the plan.

For now, the conceptual plan calls for a primary lawn area, which would be large enough to have one championship-size soccer field, and two separate lawn areas, all to be bordered and separated by trees.

A 100-foot-by-600-foot mall area bordered by trees also was included between two of the lawns, as was a fountain at the center of the mall and a playground nearby.

The plan includes a plaza and restrooms, bike and walking path, a multipurpose pavilion, parking on the perimeter of the site and an access area linking the site with the nearby planned residential and commercial development, Marshall Place.

Mr. Smith said the park idea is one that likely will have to be implemented in two phases: the first phase would probably cost about $2.8 million, and the second, about $1.5 million.

Although Columbia County Commission members have said they don't know how they will pay for the changes, Mr. Smith said officials are considering a two-year project. He said construction could begin as early as next fall, pending funding.

Already, the county has agreed to buy from Doctors Hospital 17 acres behind the Kroger. The agreed-on sale price is $3.9 million. Officials say they will close on the property by the end of this year.

In a recent county commission meeting, the idea was presented, and officials reported that some have said the land should stay open.

Last Friday at the Evans Government Complex, Evans resident Cyndi Hoyt had an opinion on the idea, saying she wouldn't mind the field's development.

"Just do something with it,'' she said.

Whatever the plan is, Mr. Smith said he thinks it will be a good addition.

"It will also be a complement to the memorial garden that we are building right behind the judicial center,'' he said.

Reach Preston Sparks at 868-1222, ext. 115, or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com.