CLEMSON — The city of Clemson is continuing to enjoy the fruits of new construction and things don’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

City Administrator Rick Cotton said the city experienced building permit valuations of approximately $45 million this year and the previous year.

“We anticipate that the value will remain very similar, if not higher, in 2008,” Cotton said.

Zoning Director Bob Vecchio agrees.

“It’s been a busy year and is going to be even busier during the next several years based on what I’ve seen come across my desk and from what I’ve seen conceptually,” Vecchio said.

A complete list of projects, involving commercial, residential and those pending, are as follows:

• Bi-Lo Supermarket — undergoing a 5,000 square foot expansion to become a “Super Bi-Lo”

• Tillman Village — including 9,600 square feet of additional retail space in two buildings that now features Excel Rehabilitation and Sports Enhancement, LLC and will eventually include a restaurant.

• Food Lion — part of Tillman Village that is housed on the former Ole Norm’s property — opened December 19

• Starbucks — located at the now demolished Conoco Gas Station on the southwest corner of Tiger Boulevard and College Avenue — remains under construction. However, the project is nearing completion and will open early next year

• Victoria Square — destroyed by fire in November 2006 — is rebuilding to the original design with some site improvements

• College Place Mall — has undergone a significant renovation over the past six months and will soon be ready to reopen

• Tower Place — located on College Avenue where Small World Travel once stood — will consist of a six-story, mixed-use building

• Crawford Falls — a 10 building complex on Kelly Road — has been completed

• The Retreat — located on the corner of West Lane and Old Greenville Highway — is comprised of 55 separate dwellings using a “cottage style” design

A list of projects awaiting formal construction that should begin sometime in 2008 is as follows:

• Clemson Grande Resort — located on Tiger Boulevard at the former Holiday Inn/Lake Hartwell Inn site, will contain two mixed-use buildings for retail and residential uses

• Walgreen’s — will construct a 12,300 square-foot building on the southeast corner of College Avenue and Tiger Boulevard

• Three mixed-use buildings — between Earle Street and Daniel Drive, where one building will overlook Bowman Field and the Clemson University campus

• An orthodontist and additional professional offices — to be located near the intersection of U.S. Highway 123 and Old Greenville Highway. A conceptual review has already been provided

• Patrick Square — will be developed as a Traditional Neighborhood Development on a 173-acre tract through the Planned Development (PD) process. The project, which has already received final reading approval, will consist of a master planned development emphasizing the neighborhood and composed of several types of residential dwelling styles, variety of retail uses, professional offices, restaurants, an assisted care living facility and passive outdoor recreation space. The project is anticipated to have a five-year build out.

• Marriott Hotel on Canoy Lane — will consist of approximately 102 beds and five floors at a construction cost of more than $6 million. Construction is set to begin in late spring or early summer

Cotton said the city is also continuing to market based on findings from The Buxton Report, prepared by the Fort Worth, Texas marketing firm, to assist in economic development efforts. The Buxton Company represents more than 1,200 clients and around 220 municipalities in determining how to best target retailers for their respective markets.

The city of Clemson has distributed informational packets to 20 companies — ranging from Cinnabon to Target — that council members have selected to recruit as part of its continuing economic development efforts.