HHHunt pulls the plug for now on Branner Station
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

It could become a sign of the times - HHHunt has suspended its plans to build Branner Station on 1,614 acres southeast of Chester. Just approved last year, Branner Station called for 2,449 single-family homes, 1,331 condos and townhouses, 908 apartments, 300 assisted living units and 470,000 square feet of office and retail development.

The zoning approval also called for HHHunt to build an offsite road network estimated to cost $130 million, including a north-south road connecting to Route 288 and an eastwest road to Interstate 95. Though developing the land has been delayed, the zoning for the development remains.

The Thomas Company LLC declined to extend HHHunt's contract to purchase the land.

"I don't think I can divulge what the landowner wants to do," said Sonny Currin speaking for Nina Shoosmith. "There are several options, but that hasn't been decided yet."

"We want to go and will go when we can, but we can't create a market out of nothing," said HHHunt Vice President/General Manager Dan Schmitt. "We hope to pick up the pieces and put the land contract back together in a couple of years.

"It's a combination of a housing slowdown and the credit crunch," Schmitt continued. "It's illogical to put your head down and move ahead. We've put three years, lots of engineering and money into the project, so we're committed to see our vision of Branner Station through. We hope they believe we're the best alternative."

Bermuda Supervisor Dorothy Jaeckle declined to speculate on what might happen to the property, but did say, "There's going to be a hefty [property] tax bill to pay. It's not the same market as three years ago."

Selling the property as one development might be difficult because the proffers include building roads in phases as the development progresses.