GAINESVILLE - A huge mixed-used development planned for the Chestnut Mountain area is now in foreclosure.
Hall County Commissioners last year - over the objections of nearby residents - approved the 145-acre Union Church Road project which included plans for a 200-room hotel.
The foreclosure notice - filed against Vintage Communities, Inc. - lists a debt of $11.4 million owed to Alabama-based Colonial Bank.
BACKGROUND
Thompson's Crossing was planned adjacent to the Deaton Creek retirement community.
Residents John and Phyllis Mercer told commissioners at the time the project was approved that they supported in, with the stipulation that they didn't want sewer problems.
"I'm here to strongly urge you to approve the program, the development, but to make sure the sewerage discharge from this development does not impact the homes in Deaton Creek," Mercer told the commission. Mercer said Deaton Creek homeowners had been having problems with sewer odors from their private waste water plant, and don't want any more.
Linda Wilson said she feared negative impact from the development.
"Do we really need a 200-room hotel and tower parking garage included in this project?," Wilson asked, suggesting that such a development should be farther away from her subdivision and closer to Interstate 85.
Project engineer Brian Rochester said public sewer was planned for the project and the area was already zoned commercial.
The site is on Thompson Mill Road near Deaton Creek Parkway.
The plan called for nearly 800,000 square feet of retail/office space and 657 residential units including town homes, condominiums, apartments and the hotel.
Vintage Communities developer Eric Masaschi said at the time that Thompsons Crossing would be built in four phases.
The foreclosure notice calls for the property to be sold on the Hall County Courthouse steps July 7.
Tuesday
April 22nd, 2025
4:47AM
