An open letter to Oconeeans from Sanctuary Pointe
Here’s a letter on behalf of those who sought to develop Sanctuary Pointe in Oconee County
“To the Residents of Oconee County, SC
On Friday, March 3rd at 3:30 pm Sanctuary Pointe LLC (SPLLC), the sub-leaseholder to the 325-acre property on Lake Hartwell at Exit 1, received an email from the SC Parks, Recreation and Tourism’s attorney terminating our 50 year Sublease for “failure to make progress or perform progress” within the specified timeframe.
There is no question that Bob Daffin, co-owner and partner of SPLLC, and I, along with other supporters, have been disappointed in the overall progress, however, for over a year we have been working with a highly experienced and financially capable development group set on developing in the 1st Phase alone; a 225 key Resort hotel and spa, a resort harbor marina, a 220 site Class A RV park with designated amenities, a lakeside amphitheater, a 125 key select service hotel, cabins and villas along with numerous amenities. The total development costs for the 1st phase projected to be $191.5 million with annual revenues of $50 million being realized by the 5th year.
After finally meeting with Duane Parrish last May and subsequently with Senator Alexander, we described this new-type RV hospitality component and modified our plans to satisfy their concerns that allowed us to proceed with the plans described above. We indicated then and continually thereafter that an extension of time to our milestone date most likely would be required.
SPLLC and our new partners then met with individual Oconee Council members and collectively in Executive session to present our plans and garner the Council’s support and endorsement in developing an economic development package. Our initial plans for sewer at Sanctuary Pointe was package plants, however, over a period of time we were encouraged to consider connecting to the proposed sewer line that would soon be available and we could rely on this in the near future. We adjusted our plans accordingly.
To our relief, the Oconee Council approved the last step in funding on March 3rd at 10:00 am. Receipt of our email termination followed 5 hours later, the same day! No personal contact! No conversation! Why?
The Oconee County Council has been extremely supportive of our efforts, including constructive input, and had directed that an economic development package be developed for our consideration once the sewer was approved and moved forward. I don’t know who was more surprised as to our Sublease termination, SPLLC or Oconee County Council members!
When asked in only my brief phone discussion with Duane Parrish nearly a week later, he told me that currently SCPRT had no future plans for the property. I asked him to allow us and our partners, along with the County, to continue to move forward. He indicated he
would reconsider the matter and possibly withdraw the termination letter. We have received no further communication. For over the past eight months communications and conversations with SCPRT and Senator Alexander have been nearly non-existent, despite the magnitude of this proposed hospitality amenity for the Oconee County.
No question this has been a long journey. After winning the Request for Proposal in 2008 and taking 5 years to negotiate the Sublease with the SCPRT and the Corps of Engineers, we have had four major opportunities that we were unable to proceed for various reasons including two economic downturns, sewer access, death of partners along with the COVID pandemic and its lingering effects.
This letter is intended for folks in Oconee County to understand the actual facts which led to our current status. This development was intended to be a “Flagship” development for Oconee County and the Upstate. You can be proud of your Council for really trying to support our endeavor.
SPLLC would like to thank all the folks that have supported our vision of Sanctuary Pointe, encouraged our efforts and provided constructive input in attempting to bring our vision of Sanctuary Pointe to reality.
Thank you again. Disappointed but still Standing!
Sincerely,
El Henry
Manager
Sanctuary Pointe LLC”