This week, the plans were announced for a large project at the edge of the city of Hahira where the Pick�In Bluegrass Festival used to be held near the interstate.

The Gateway to Hahira will be a multi-purpose project, but the biggest thing is that on one side of Hwy. 122, a Harvey�s supermarket is being built, which is huge for the north end of the county. Folks have been teased for years that a large grocery store would be built on that side of town, but no one has ever committed, until now.

Also, there will be restaurants, fast food, and plenty of space for retail in a town square setting with edifices built to emulate the current facades in downtown Hahira. The hometown feel and ambiance will be preserved throughout the development.

Single family houses built in a Craftsman style will be built in the development in a section called Water�s Edge, as well as an upscale apartment complex and villa/duplex style homes.

In addition, the developers of the property are so committed to the community that not only have they agreed to gift two acres to the city for the development of a community senior citizens center, they have also agreed to move the original Pick�In stage/cabin to another site on the property and preserve it, with plans to make it a museum of sorts.

While Hahira has long had a reputation as wanting to keep the city small � it�s the small city feeling and friendliness that most want preserved � but city leadership understands that in order to stay a great place to raise families, you have to offer the amenities and services families need.

Harveys will begin construction in early fall, and the rest will follow. And developers hope that the project brings more people to Hahira and helps to create business for those already there, in addition to the new area, so all will benefit.

More Hahira news

Third Thursday in Hahira this week will salute the Red, White and Blue as a tribute to the military service members serving and deployed from Moody Air Force Base. The event is held from 5 to 8 p.m, and at 6 p.m., Hahira Mayor Wayne Bullard will present Base officials with a key to the city during a ceremony.

Many Downtown shops will offer military discounts, drawings, giveaways, specials, sales, and refreshments, and the event also features live entertainment. Guitarist Daniel Parrish will perform outside of Jewelry by Jonathan from 5 to 8 p.m. The event is family-friendly, and kids' activities include pony rides from KB Horse Camp, a bouncy house by Bounce Back Party Rentals, and mini-train rides by L&K; Express.



Business Roundup

The Holiday Inn Express and Suites is preparing to open very soon. The city�s newest hotel is located by Exit 18 off I-75 and is one of the Williams Investment Company businesses, as are the new Holiday Inn in town and the Comfort Suites right next door. The Holiday Inn Express will be four stories, featuring all kinds of amenities, and should be opening on July 1.

Ellianos is finally open on Bemiss Road! The coffee shop has been long awaited by area residents. It�s in front of the Taco Bell and Catfish One.

The Quiznos going in the North Ashley Professional Center will be under construction soon, and it looks like there will be a professional center of some kind being built where the old Chinese restaurant was on North Ashley Street.

On North Patterson Street, Wilson Eye Center�s new addition is nearly complete, and there should be a grand opening soon, I would imagine.

The Taylor Insurance office is relocating right down the street from Wilson�s on the corner and there was a lot of movement this week with workers coming and going.

The Chevron on Hill Avenue near Exit 16 is still closed, and no, I have no idea why. The building looks like someone left for the night and forgot to come back. There�s still items on the shelves inside, etc.

I haven�t heard anything else from the city on the adult entertainment business set to open on Bemiss to see if they�ve reached a compromise, but I�ll keep you posted. I fielded several questions about it this week, but I really don�t know any more about it. Sorry.

The Judicial Complex downtown should be opening in about a month, and the administration building next to it was being framed up this week and really starting to take shape.

If you missed the photos this week, the old city water tower by Mathis Auditorium was dismantled and taken down this week. I tried to dare someone to write one last graffiti message up there, but alas, no takers. Sorry, just joking Chief Simons!

That�s about it for this week, but if there�s anything I missed, please let me know!