Walhalla ponders sale of 440 acres
Source: independentmail.com, by David Williams
January 24, 2007
WALHALLA, SC — Walhalla officials are taking public comments Thursday on the potential sale of 439.6 acres of city property off S.C. 28 near Stumphouse Tunnel.
Georgia-based Tri-State Assets Inc. has offered to buy the property — including the city’s former water plant and reservoir — for residential development, Mayor Lamar Bailes said. Existing regulations would allow the city to annex the land.
The developers have offered to rebuild the water plant, which could provide Walhalla with a second water source, the mayor said.
“This could be a significant thing to happen for Walhalla for many years to come,” he said. “This would be a significant step forward in size and tax base for the city.”
Walhalla already leases the Stumphouse Tunnel, which is owned by Clemson University and the adjacent Isaqueena Falls Park, which is owned by an Oconee County family.
Mayor Bailes said the city intends to keep those leases and maintain the park, which features both the tunnel and famous waterfall. The city’s land is next to both tourist attractions.
Mr. Bailes said he hopes representatives of the interested developer would attend the 5:15 p.m. public hearing at City Hall.
“We have not come up with the actual terms,” Mayor Bailes said.
The city council has approved a second reading of the ordinance that would be required for the sale to become final.
Walhalla now maintains a water treatment facility on Coneross Creek and the Duke Pond reservoir. The plant produces about 1.8 million to 2 million gallons a day and can produce as much as 3 million gallons a day.
