Southlake Towne Center, a commercial site in Union Hall, was approved on Oct. 18, 2005 by the Franklin County Board of Supervisors. Two and a half years later, the shopping center is still empty. All that could change rapidly.

On April 16, The Willard Companies purchased 89.2 acres that included property zoned for Southlake Towne Center at a foreclosure auction. BB&T put the lot up for auction in an attempt to collect on an unpaid loan to Southlake's developer, Resource Cos.

"The Willard Companies purchased the property for $700,000 and we are currently in the closing stages," said Chris Finley, director of marketing for the company. "We are scheduled to close next Wednesday, April 30th."

After the closing, Finley said the company will review the original plans for the commercial development, which included an 35,000- to 40,000-square-foot grocery store. He said the company will then work with VDOT and Franklin County to get the project moving.

The Willard Companies purchased one commercial parcel at Southlake in 2005 to open a second office for Prudential Waterfront Properties, a subsidiary of the company and marketer for its developments.

In October, The Willard Companies filed a lawsuit in Franklin County Circuit Court against Southlake Towne Center Partners LLC for not meeting its building obligations.

"The lawsuit filed last October is still currently active due to liabilities from the partners holding the initial project up for over 30 months," said Finley.

A trial is set for Aug. 26.

LAURIE EDWARDS | Laker Weekly 721.4675 (ext. 406)