Developer planning major expansion of local RV Village

Developer planning major expansion of local RV Village

 

By JIM YOUNG – Special to the UCBJ

 

CROSSVILLE – A one-of-a-kind development that caters to RV owners is expanding is presence in Crossville.

It’s one of several new developments as the city readies several new subdivisions in 2017, says planning administrator Kevin Dean.

In addition to the 60 acres known as Crossroad Village – mentioned on page XX in the UCBJ – and another development in the very early stages at Cook Road and Beehive Lane, a big expansion of The Gardens RV Village is also underway. The Gardens is a long-time Crossville development featuring large zero lot line duplexes that feature large garages specifically for RV owners.

Officials are now in the first phase of an eight-phase expansion planned over the next five to 10 years that includes an additional 149 lots.

Self-proclaimed as “America’s most active RV retirement home base community,” The Gardens opened in the 1980s, and as of the end of last year, included almost 180 luxury RV homes with large, oversize RV garages.

“We’ve grown steadily over the last 25 years,” Developer Tim Wilson said. “We sailed right through the recession while our housing values increased, and we have now added an additional 95 acres for future development.

“It is not the fastest growth, but there is no urgency in fast development,” Wilson added. “This is a home-like community.”

Wilson said The Gardens is the only community of its kind in the country. There were two other similar developments in Florida, he said, but they have since changed. Crossville is an ideal RV base because of its location. Travel to much of the eastern United States is possible in only a day or two.

According to Wilson, RV owners like community living and sharing their interests in travel with others. If the weather is nice, residents are out walking and gather in groups as they check out the new homes under construction or just catch up. The Gardens also has activities and groups that meet and residents can participate if they want to. Wilson describes it as “A place for you to live alongside people who share your passion and commitment to travel, friendship, and adventure.”

“We are building between 12-15 units a year and are mostly sold out until the new development becomes available,” Wilson said. He added that the homes in The Gardens cost between $350,000-$1 million depending on size and amenities. Customers can customize their home any way they’d like, as long as it includes an RV garage, which have full hookups including electricity, water and sewer.  The building is done by Wilson’s own construction company.

Another unique feature of The Gardens: An RV park located near the entrance on Sparta Highway. Known as “Homeless Hill,” it is a place where visitors can spend time and get a feel for the community as well as a place for future residents to stay while their new home is under construction. Wilson said that is great way to introduce potential residents to the neighbors.

  

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.