Brookhaven building activity has dropped off in the second halfof 2003, but several projects remain in development or are movingtoward completion.

“It’s slowed down some,” Brookhaven Building Inspector SteveMoreton said about recent construction activity. “The weather’sstill good for it.”

In downtown Brookhaven, construction is under way on an officecomplex at the Chickasaw Street and South Railroad Avenueintersection. A crew is working on two, two-story, 2,900 squarefeet buildings.

“That’s two of four buildings that are proposed,” Moretonsaid.

One of the $180,000 buildings, being developed by John Lynch,will be used by attorney Clint Gardner for his law office and therest for storage, Moreton said. The other building will feature anupstairs apartment and office space on the first floor.

Lynch is also involved in some other local buildingprojects.

Lynch owns the building where Jason McDonald is opening agourmet coffee shop on West Cherokee Street. He said mid-Novemberis the targeted opening date for the business.

A major project Lynch is pursuing is a private recreational clubon Natchez Avenue near the Zetus Road intersection.

Lynch said he has an option to purchase the approximately 4.5acres. Aldermen last week approved a zoning change that would allowthe club to locate on the property.

“We are in the process of seeing the interest level inBrookhaven,” Lynch said.

Lynch said the project has been in development for about sixmonths and he hoped to open by Feb. 1. A concept drawing of theBrookhill development shows six tennis courts, a swimming pool, ahalf basketball court and open spaces for additional expansion.

“It’s in a nice residential area that’s being developed,” Lynchsaid.

While the activity is visible from Brookway Boulevard, Moretonsaid some preliminary work for a 30-home residential developmenthas been done on Halbert Heights Road.

“They’ve just cleared the lot,” Moreton said, adding that a siteplan for the project has not been approved.

In other residential activity, Moreton said there was one homepermit issued in July, none in August and two in September. Thosetotaled just over $200,000.

Moreton mentioned several commercial building projects going onin the city.

One is on Highway 51 at the intersection of the new street thatwill be called Whitebrook Drive. The approximately $180,000development is the new home for Brookhaven Music and the rest willbe for additional rental opportunities.

“The landscaping’s not completed,” Moreton said.

In another development, Animal Medical Center on BrookwayBoulevard is expanding with the addition of a building to thecenter’s large animal services. Moreton said the addition wasestimated at $30,000.

Also, Smith Bros. Collision on Brookhaven Street is undertakinga renovation. Moreton was impressed with the $50,000 project.

“It looks nice,” Moreton said.

Elsewhere, a site for the new home of Castle’s, on BrookwayBoulevard, has been cleared. The business is currently located onWest Cherokee Street.

Moreton said a building permit for a dentist’s office on Highway51 at Natchez Avenue has not been issued.

Also, the inspector said he has heard no new developmentsregarding a Walgreen’s or an O’Reilly’s Auto Parts. Theintersection of Brookway Boulevard and Highway 51 has beenmentioned as a possible drug store site while the auto partsbusiness could locate on Highway 51 at West Congress Street.