Construction of a 17-story building in Green Hills has come to a halt, affecting the business of nearby shops and restaurants.
Southern Land Company has suspended work on the $100 million development after a lawsuit against the project. The project, named 4000 Hillsboro, is located on the corner of Richard Jones Road and Hillsboro Pike. Construction first began in July and came to a halt right before Thanksgiving.
Richard Fedock, owner of Lenny’s Sub Shop located on Hillsboro Pike, said he hopes the construction is completed soon, as it will drive in customers.
“It would mean a great deal to increase traffic and business for me at this location, which is actually what I’m hoping for, this project does get going sooner rather than later,” Fedock said. “Because of all the construction people that would be coming for lunch [over] the next two years. Once you have retail space [that] will bring some extra traffic.”
Fedock said 67,000 square feet of office space and several stories of high-end apartments will boost business during the evening hours.
“You know, people – they’re going to want to walk downstairs to go to dinner if they don’t want to fight the traffic out here on Hillsboro Road,” Fedock said. “So for me, it would be a very plus to my business.”
But for Emad Eshak, manager of Sam’s Discount Tobacco & Beer located on Hillsboro Pike, the construction is not much of a plus.
Eshak said that two-way lanes near his business were turned into a one-way lane, which increased traffic and derailed tobacco consumers.
“It stops our business for me, because my customer [says] ‘No, I can’t come and stay in line [in traffic] for five minutes,'” Eshak said. “He goes to the gas station. He goes anywhere he can get it.”
Green Hills resident and Lipscomb student Joe Deedy said the development has made driving more of a challenge.
“There’s been a lot more traffic with all that [construction] — with the trucks pulling in and out — so it’s been a little more busy,” Deedy said.
“When I’m trying to go places that are like a two-minute drive, it will turn into like a five or seven-minute drive just because these tiny little roads are getting very backed up.”
Photo courtesy of Southern Land Co.