New PR push for Livingston Township suggests waning interest?

A recent story on WJTV promoting Livingston Township at the corner of Highway 22 and 463 is only one attempt of many over the past several months to keep the development in the public eye. The development is owned by David Landrum, and has seen significant challenges including the filing of two lien's here and here for over $120,000 in Madison County Chancery Court for architectural work.

Landrum was in Flora during a Town Board meeting earlier this year to promote the development as a good thing for Flora. That leap in logic is questionable. One would think development away from Flora is the opposite of "good for Flora."

WJTV reports:

Plans are in the works to bring life back to one part of Madison County.

 

Livingston once a historic town, was abandoned years ago.

The historic land is located at the corner of U.S. 22 and Highway 463 in the Mannsdale-Livingston Heritage Preservation District.

The historic land will turn into “Livingston Township”.

A 60 million dollar project that will be the home of offices and businesses while paying homage to the town’s history.

There are also plans to build about 60 Charleston-style cottages.

Developers say the project will keep the area’s history and economy alive.

“It’s our intent that the small businesses that will be located here will be in a nurturing environment to spawn other businesses that can open manufacturing in Flora or Canton’s industrial parts,“ said Don Williams the President of Livingston Holdings. “we are going to provide the essentials that are absent in this area.“

Historians like Charles Bowering hopes the future development will keep Livingston’s past in the present.

“I think it’s great,“ said Bowering. “It would just grow up in a wilderness if they don’t clean it up.“

Developers plan to break ground on the project this fall.

I have a great respect for Charles Elon Bowering. But, I tend to think the "wilderness" that has grown up there is quite a beautiful and pastoral setting, and the fact that "it was abandoned years ago" doesn't necessarily mean it's a good idea to rebuild something there now. There is only so much money to go around from developers and investors in today's real estate market, and with millions of dollars coming due this year, liens for architectural work, and rumors of Landrum's own financial problems the project is already at a disadvantage.

Furthermore, the assertion by Don Williams that essential services "are absent in the area" is nothing more than a sales pitch. Nothing could be further from the truth. Flora is only 5 miles away, the Mannsdale area where considerable development is now occurring, is even closer.

Maybe, like years ago, people are recognizing that Livingston should be abandoned.