Lavonia Planning for Growth on SR17 Near Interstate

More economic development in the planning stages for the City of Lavonia around Exit 173 on SR17.

At their work session last week, the Lavonia City Council heard from city manager Gary Fesperman who gave them an overview of some of the projects in the works.

One of those projects includes the renovation of the Hardee’s on SR17. Fesperman said the franchisee is now waiting certain inspections to go through.

“The thing that is stalling the building permit is the asbestos certification,” Fesperman said. “Once we get that confirmation that the building has been checked and is free of asbestos we will issue a demolition permit.  “They want to have everything done within 120 days and want to have it done before the bad weather sets in.”

Fesperman said the new Hardee’s will be a totally new design but not a new building.

“They’re going to go down to three walls and use the base walls and come up off of that,” he said. “It’s going to be a good looking building. They’re going to use one of the newest prototypes in Georgia.”

Other plans for the Exit 173 area include at least one more fast food restaurant, a new motel, and a strip mall behind J Peters restaurant, according to Fesperman.

In town, Fesperman said plans are underway to renovate office space on SR59 next to the Berlec Law Firm and a new florist is going in to the former Toccoa Gas offices on the corner of Main and Grogan Sts.