Work to expand an Evans shopping center should start before year's end.
Mullins Crossing developer Frank Mullins said Friday he intends to soon start a second phase of the shopping center on Washington Road, with Hobby Lobby as the anchor store.
Other stores and two out-parcels in the 130,000-square-foot second phase are possible, Mr. Mullins said. Citing the struggling economy, he declined to name other possible tenants until negotiations are complete.
"There's a lot of small retail space in Columbia County right now. Too much," he said. "We're trying to decide on what the right ratio is."
However, Mr. Mullins said it is typically easier to attract smaller shops to shopping centers with strong anchor stores, such as Hobby Lobby.
Executives with the arts and crafts store didn't immediately respond to e-mails Friday.
County Commission Chairman Ron Cross said he was happy to hear the latest about the second phase.
"I think it's fantastic and this is the time to do it, before construction costs rise," he said. "That place has been great for the county. No question."
The fully occupied first phase of Mullins Crossing opened in 2005, featuring Target and Kohl's.
Mr. Mullins expects construction on the second phase to conclude in late 2009.
"We really see it as a completion of that shopping center," he said. "On the eastern side, it angles back toward the road. This new phase will do the same on the opposite side, creating a mirror image."
Reach Donnie Fetter at (706) 868-1222, ext. 115, or donnie.fetter@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
Ron "Double" Cross and his Band of Bandits are smiling ear to ear and laughing all the way to the bank. Before it's all over we will have paved the entire county. Way to go 'Double', how much money do you need?
Great- More building.
Just think of all the money Cross will generate from the rain tax. Undoubtedly he will misuse it as always for now we are about to have a bond issue to handle all the problems in Columbia County and provide more toys as well.
Some of these comments are totally out of line. Columbia County is growing whether we like it or not. Moving beyond our bedroom community status by adding retail is something most of us have recognized as a necessity to gain lost sales tax revenue for years. To suggest Ron Cross has received payoffs is accusing him of criminal activity and pretty low. Are you guys for real?
I don't think anyone should be accused of anything without evidence. If anything like that ever happened with any commissioner there would be evidence. I say support, trust and pray for your leaders. Doing wrong is not worth the price that has to be paid, such as the Lakeside coach is going through now.
In addition there are handheld devices that can detect lying instantly so we all need to speak the truth. Try speaking blessings over your leaders and they will become what you say they are.
Well, we do need to remember that it is not always what leaders really do, BUT what it appears they are doing. It does appear that the tax payers get stuck paying more then once for some of the nicer things in our county. These could have been paid for by developers up front. The cost passed on to the buyers instead of us tax payers. These things have gone on for a long period of time and many are getting tired of it.
I am perfectly fine with new construction in Columbia County as long as it is not a store that is already 5 miles down the street of another location i.e Cracker Barrel, Lowes, and Home Depot. We need stores in Mullins Crossing that Richhmond county doesn't have. Hobby Lobby would be a great addition. (Personally, I would like to see a Costco or BJs at Mullins Crossing)
"I think it's fantastic and this is the time to do it, before construction costs rise," Commission Chairman Ron Cross said. What he meant was, "Now is the time to do it, before the coming inflation puts the United States into a severe economic depression."
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
