Project could restart soon

Following years of delays, bankruptcies and lawsuits, city officials are inching closer to restarting work on road, sewer and other improvements for the Southern Hills Project.

During Monday's 7 p.m. meeting at the Enrichment Centers of Hernando County, located at 800 John Gary Grubbs Boulevard, council members will consider an agreement with Greenpointe Communities LLC to help oversee the construction project that will consist of lighting, roadway and sidewalk construction, along with installment of water and wastewater lines.

City officials originally expected the project to be finished in 2009. However, the developer filed for bankruptcy and abandoned the project.

In May, the city received a $3.5 million settlement stemming from a case filed against companies that had issued bonds for the Southern Hills Project.

Of that, the city is using almost $1.3 million to finish the project.

City Manager Jennene Norman-Vacha said Greenpointe would act as a liaison with members of the community development district and homeowners, to allow construction crews on the properties to build the roads and install water and sewer lines.

Once construction starts, she said it should take roughly four to five months to complete.

"Council has repeatedly made it very clear that they want to put the settlement money back toward Southern Hills where it belongs," Vacha said. "If there is any money left over, that will be put back toward the development. We're not looking at putting any of it into the city's coffers or reaping any profit from this."

In August, an injunction was filed meant to prevent city officials from spending the money after 25 percent of the $3.5 million settlement — $875,000 — was paid to the Hogan Law Firm as part of its agreement to represent the city.

Landowners James and Paula Holliday, along with Gary and Cynthia Sutton, also feared that city officials would put the remaining settlement money toward other city projects and not Southern Hills.

Since the filing, Vacha said there have been no new developments, which she hopes is due to the families' satisfaction that officials are appropriately spending the money.

Meanwhile, she said officials hope to have construction bids come before council members in late March, which would put the completion date for the project sometime in the fall.

To see the complete city council agenda, go to www.ci.brooksville.fl.us.