Developer close to landing builder to start $100 million Hixson apartment complex

photo Duane Horton
photo Proposed $100 million Hixson commercial and retail project.

A developer of a proposed $100 million Hixson commercial and retail project said Monday he has a letter of intent from a company aiming to build new apartments at the site.

"We're actively negotiating with an apartment group," said developer Duane Horton, who earlier this year gained City Council approval for the Hillocks Farm project on state Highway 153 near Boy Scout Road.

Horton told more than a dozen citizens during an update meeting on Hillocks Farm that work could start in early summer on the apartment piece of the project. Plans call for 280 apartments on the 190-acre site.

Horton also said he has "three really good leads" for anchor retailers.

"I think we'll have the three anchors we're going to need," he said, adding it could be 2016 before works starts on the retail component. Plans call for 500,000 square feet of retail stores.

In addition, Horton said, he has had interest in the office part of the development, which could come faster than expected. But, he said, he doesn't expect that interest to account for all of the 250,000 square feet of office space pegged for Hillocks Farm.

Ed Gravitte, who lives in Hixson, said he thinks the development is "a good project," but he had questions about the retail piece.

"I was curious about what's going on -- if they've got commitments," he said. "If they've got a good anchor, they'll draw business."

Jerry Jones, another Hixson resident, said the meeting was helpful to inform people about what's going on at the site since the project was approved in February.

"We're trying not to get a firestorm started again," he said.

Development of the parcel was originally proposed several years ago, but it drew criticism from neighbors and went through a variety of changes. It was originally called Chattanooga Village.

Horton said the project is close to the timeline he had set earlier this year, though it may be a little behind.

He said plans are ongoing to get infrastructure into the site.

Horton said the apartments will be of a quality not seen now in Hixson. The residences themselves will be an attraction to Hixson, he said. Horton declined to immediately name the builder, who also would own the land for the apartments.

City Councilman Chip Henderson on Monday sought names for an association which is to be formed related to the project.

Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318

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