Tiffany Green
The Cullman Times
CULLMAN — SMITH LAKE — Located in Crane Hill is a place for RV lovers to rest, relax and enjoy beautiful Smith Lake.
“Here someone can move here and live full time,” said James Lansford, developer. “A lot of people in Cullman like to use the lake but can’t afford it, but here, they can buy a lot and live.”
“We want to offer a way for the average working-class person to own a piece of Smith Lake,” said Larry Harris, developer of Smith Lake RV Resort.
Harris bought the 58 acres of land more than five years ago and decided there was not enough direct water frontage to cut up the land into lots.
“I guess it was a God thing,” he said. “We asked for His leadership and guidance in this.”
Construction is currently underway at the park, and with lots starting at $35,000, Lansford said it is affordable to anyone.
According to Lansford, this will be the first of its kind in Alabama and maybe the Southeast.
“We have researched this and there is nothing like this anywhere on Smith Lake or Alabama,” Lansford said.
In the first phase, plans call for 25 lots and amenities including a private gated entry, deed restricted spacious landscaped sites, concrete pads and patios, full hook-ups on the lot, full lake access, boat launch, fishing pier, boardwalk, pavilion, basketball court, horseshoe pit, jungle gym, walking trail and bath house.
“We anticipate a lot of people here from six to eight months out of the year,” Lansford said. “One of the many draws is direct access to the lake with a boardwalk, fishing pier, wet slips, a swimming area and walking trails.”
Planned amenities for Phase 2 include a clubhouse, fitness center, pool, spa, tennis court, putting green, volleyball area, wet slips, WiFi Internet, bicycle trail, salt water pool and dry storage.
Lansford is not worried about the sluggish economy.
“We want to offer a way for the average working-class person to own a piece of Smith Lake,” he said.
“We are a child of the King and don’t participate in the down economy,” developer Larry Harris said. “This is some what insulated from the down turn because people are still going on vacation and still going to travel,” Harris said.
Each spot has its own hook-ups for water, sewage and utilities.
Over half the spots have been reserved. Lansford wants to give locals the best opportunity to own a piece of lake property.
“This will appreciate in value and you will own it and benefit from it,” he said.
For more information, visit www.smithlakervresort.com.
‰ Tiffany Green can be reached by e-mail at tgreen@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.
