Vista project moving along

By Chad Rhoad
Editor/ The Messenger
Published: July 18, 2008

The Vista project on Railroad Avenue in Hartsville is progressing nicely and city officials hope to see a finished park by fall.

Construction crews are adding rocks to the site for the small pond and have been feverishly adding and grading soil.

City Manager Jim Pennington said the contracts for the sidewalks, irrigation system and electrical system will be shipping out soon. Most of the plans have already been finished; however, Pennington said a few major decisions still need to be finalized.

“We put a hold on it,“ Pennington said, “because the front three acres still have some vital decisions that have to be made about that. Just how much do we do and how much we don’t do. That’s where we would like to see a development go. But, then again, if we do get a development, it should be fine.“

City officials are eager to see the park finished. “We’re just trying to get it done,“ Pennington added.

One portion of the project has also caused construction times to be longer. The road that will be in the area required the large amount of soil to be added to the area. “We’ve got a road to build, too,“ said Pennington. “People ask about the dirt out there. The road is getting ready to go out. Hopefully, by the fall we’ll have this thing done. Then instead of talking about it, we can actually see it.“

Pennington said there have been a few changes made, and there are currently eight permits out for the project as well, which is more than any project the city has out at this time.
The project will also be subject to approval by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).

The Vista project, along with the new Butler Heritage renovation project, is part of the Comprehensive 2020 Plan the city has for future growth in Hartsville.

“It’s coming,“ Pennington said. “And I think people are going to love it.“