Officials behind the re-opening of a condominium project on Lake Sinclair recently completed construction of a newly furnished model home designed by local decorator/designer Greg Prosser, according to a press release issued by Gary Spillers of Collegiate Adventures, the company overseeing the

project.

“We’ve got the model apartment open, plus we have started construction on the code violations, and we’ll have everything ready to start closing on units in about 60 days,” Spillers said in a Nov. 20 phone interview with The Union-Recorder.

Spillers was referring to the fact that work on the former property, then owned by local businessman Joe Milholen, was delayed and later stopped when Milholen was unable to meet financial obligations associated with the site.

In the process, code violations occurred that were later discovered by local and state fire marshals, making the properties uninhabitable even if money wasn’t an issue.

In January, Milholen, represented under the company name Harbors at Sinclair Development Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Macon.

Milholen obtained the property from Comer and Mary B. Gheesling on Aug. 31, 2005, according to legal records.

Milholen had attempted to develop a property called The Harbors at Lake Sinclair, a condominium complex on U.S. Highway 441 that was advertised as “luxury 2 and 3 bedroom condos” with a “clubhouse, swimming pool, hot tub, exercise room and gated private access.”

Much of what was advertised has been able to be kept with the property, or has been restored to be even better than before, according to Spillers.

“This work should be completed inside of 60 days in order to get occupancy permits and begin closings on home purchases,” Ray Fordham of Fordham and Company Construction stated.

For now, the company pushing to provide life into once-vacant condominiums that will feature 36 units upon completion is looking to put residents inside those homes, according to Spillers.

“As these buildings are being completed, we are looking for an influx of buyers who are simply to the point in their lives where they don't have the time or energy to maintain a house's exterior, yard work, and any other amenities such as a pool and tennis court. At Harbor Town that is all taken care of for you by the homeowner's association,” Spillers said. “The first thing is to let people know that it’s available and that you can live there in a short period of time. We’re open for business and we’re ready to close on units.”

Harbor Town sales representative Bill Shreder said that despite the constant changes within the local, state and national economies, there was still a significant amount of interest in the future of Harbor Town and how to become a resident on the property.

“Women really love the large bathrooms,” Shreder joked. “I don't know if we can narrow down our target market of buyers because Harbor Town has so much to offer every age group. The lake and swimming pools are obviously large draws for couples that still have children. For older couples, or ‘empty nesters,’ much attention will be paid to the private docks where the first twenty purchasers will receive a private boat slip with their home purchase. Also of interest to this group is the exercise facility to be completed, along with the infinity edge swimming pool and hot tub spa overlooking the lake, not to mention the snappy new tennis court that is sure to receive much use as well.”

Each home features a wood burning fireplace, multiple windows, granite countertops, upscale cabinetry and trim packages.