Despite the unseasonably warm weather, Eagan residents crowded into a room in the city's community center Wednesday night, March 14, to get a first peek at the sprawling retail center that will take the place of defense contractor Lockheed Martin.

Reactions were mixed to developer CSM Corp.'s proposal for a 500,000-square-foot pedestrian-friendly retail center at the intersection of busy Pilot Knob and Yankee Doodle roads.

The plan includes room for large retail tenants in addition to smaller shops, restaurants and possibly a bank. CSM initially proposed a mixed-use development that would include 75,000 square feet of office space, but those plans were nixed after a market study was done, company representatives said.

At least one resident, a former Lockheed employee, was pleased with what she saw.

"I'm so glad you guys aren't putting a nasty old strip mall in there," said Laura Traeger, who said she worked for Lockheed Martin for 33 years.

But she and others worried there wouldn't be enough parking, especially during the busy holiday season.

CSM Vice President Thomas Palmquist said his company was working on a plan for a shuttle service from the transit station that sits across the intersection from the 51-acre property, which could help with overflow parking during the busy season.

Still, representatives assured residents the plan meets the number of parking spaces required by the city for a retail development.

Architects at the community

Three ponds occupy corners of the proposal, and a decorative water feature would accompany one of the ponds. The pedestrian entrance would include a terraced park with seating and a space for events, Palmquist said. Landscape architects would use native plants in the development, and the park would include interpretive signs that would explain the vegetation used and talk about the site's history.

Originally posted here:
Eagan residents see plans for 500,000-square-foot retail center in Lockheed Martin space

IOWA CITY, Iowa - A new high-rise building proposed for downtown Iowa City moved a step closer Tuesday to getting $2.5 million from the city.

The City Councils Economic Development Committee voted 3-0 to recommend that the full council OK a $2.5 million tax increment financing agreement with developer Marc Moen. The council could review the request as early as April 3.

Moen would put the money toward a $10.7 million, 14-story building he wants to construct at 114 S. Dubuque St. on the Pedestrian Mall.

Committee members and city staff said the project fits with the citys goals of attracting more owner-occupied housing and retail and office space downtown, and boosting property values.

Im excited about the project, council member Susan Mims said.

She and fellow council members Michelle Payne and Mayor Matt Hayek sit on the Economic Development Committee.

Plans call for the glass building to have retail space on the first and second floors, office space on floors two through four, and 26 residential units on floors five through 14.

Moen, who also is the developer behind the 14-story Plaza Towers downtown, said in an interview that hes had some inquiries about the retail space but couldnt talk about what types of stores may be in the building.

The offices are to be the high-end class A type city officials want more of downtown. And the housing would include rentals and for-sale units aimed at young professionals.

Moen said the project will not happen without the tax increment financing, or TIF, assistance, as a way to leverage private financing. The city received an opinion from the National Development Council concluding the project demonstrates a need for the $2.5 million Moen requested.

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New Downtown Iowa City Project May Get $2.5 Million from City

Construction of a $5 million-plus retail, office and residential project in the village of Manlius was scheduled to begin this spring, but the developer now says the start will be pushed back several months.

Michael Dougherty, the developer of the Madison Row project, said he expects construction on the two main buildings to start probably in late summer. He is asking the village planning board for a six-month extension to break ground, and said the delay is mainly due to difficulty finding an appropriate restaurant to anchor the space.

A project across Route 92 is proposed to include Kinney Drugs, town homes.

Dougherty said hes close to a deal, but the poor economy has hurt his efforts.

We certainly hope to be in the ground this summer, he said. The economy has absolutely been a factor, particularly when it comes to a restaurant expanding to another location. Were looking for a restaurant thats very high quality, and were focused on finding a local or regional operator.

Residents will see action on the four-acre dirt lot at the southwest corner of Route 92 and Stickley Drive next month, he said. Work is slated to begin on a Key Bank office in mid-April, as the bank has secured its building permit and the contractor is ready to begin. Construction should take about five months, with the bank targeting a late-summer opening, Dougherty said.

Dougherty, of Mayflower Associates, is partnering with JGB Properties on part of the project. He said he has letters of intent from a number of tenants, who he did not name.

The project calls for a pair of two-story buildings that will blend professional office space, luxury apartments, retail stores, a restaurant and the new Key Bank. The project is designed with a new urbanism style, a design philosophy that opposes suburban sprawl and instead emphasizes walkable communities.

The development will have a 100-car parking lot behind the buildings, with each retail shop having its own entrance on the street and from the parking lot.

Manlius planners will vote on Doughertys six-month extension request in April, but will likely agree to the extra time, said Marilyn Jeffery, planning board co-chair. The board had stipulated that construction had to start within a year, which is why the extension is necessary.

Link:
Construction on Madison Row in Manlius expected to be delayed about 6 months; Key Bank to break ground in April

Slidell -Construction is set to begin this summer on The Shoppes at FremauxinSlidell. The100 million dollar development will be located on I-10 just south of the junction with I-12 and I-59 between Fremeaux Avenue and Old Spanish Trail.

Phase 1 of the project will include approximately 300,000 square feet of retail space.Six stores have alreadysigned lease agreements. Those stores include Dick's Sporting Goods, Best Buy, TJ Maxx, Michaels, Versona Accessories and Rack Room Shoes.SlidellMayor FreddyDrennanalso said developers are talking with two major clothing stores. "That project is moving forward and is going to be a major economic impact for the city," said Mayor Drennan.

The news is exciting for Slidell shoppers. Many say their choices are limited and they often have to travel to other cities to get their shopping done.

The Shoppes at Fremaux is expected to open in the Fall of next year. Locals like what they hear, but say they're ready to see some progress at the site. If all goes as planned, The Shoppes at Fremaux will be open just in time for the 2013 holiday shopping season.

According to the developer, future phases may include additional retail, residential and office components.

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Summer construction slated for The Shoppes at Fremaux

Construction could begin in Gaithersburg this spring on a nearly 700-apartment complex with thousands of square feet for restaurants and retail space, as well as an urban park, on Frederick Avenue near Watkins Mill Road.

The city council will discuss at 7:30 p.m. Monday the approval of an amendment for a plan for the Spectrum at Watkins Mill, formerly Casey East.

In phase one, 523 apartments will be built, with restaurants and retail on the ground level, surrounding Performers Park, where events or concerts could be held; rooftop open-air terraces would overlook the events.

Architects and planners have been working for the past year to change the plan to more of a mixed-use development, after seeing that those developments fared the best during the recession, according to Luis Gonzlez of Lee & Associates commercial real estate services, who presented the plan during a Jan. 17 mayor and city council meeting.

The new plan removes a strip shopping center about 43,890 square feet of retail space for a new total of 35,910 square feet, and adds 296 apartment units for a total of 678 units; restaurant and office or bank space also was added.

During the 44 days available for public comment, Bob Portanova of Montgomery Village was the only resident to share his thoughts with city officials. Portanova said he would like the city to preserve part of the area as a wildlife buffer.

Good planning requires a design that incorporates the proper balance between buildings, pavement, structures and buffers, he wrote in a Feb. 15 email to Mayor Sidney Katz.

The development, to be built on 40 acres, will have the quarter-acre Performers Park, 5.86 acres of stream valley buffer, and additional forest along the northwest portion for a total of nearly 16 acres of green space, according to a city report.

At the Jan. 17 meeting, Councilman Henry Marraffa asked for more accessible paths for those walking into the community. Planning staff requested additional information on the impact that the changes to the plan will have on parking and traffic.

jbondeson@gazette.net

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Gazette.Net: Gaithersburg considers 678 apartments, restaurants and retail for Frederick Avenue

Last Updated: March 12, 2012 04:54pm ET

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The Outlets of Alaska at Dimond Center will add 150,000 square feet of space to the currently thriving retail hub.

(Mark Your Calendars: RealShare REAL ESTATE 2012, March 22nd in Los Angeles).

ANCHORAGE, AK-Dimond Center LLC, owner and developer of the retail center here by the same name, will develop the Outlets of Alaska at Dimond Center, the states first-ever outlet shopping center here. Slated for completion in Fall 2013, the outlets will add roughly 150,000 square feet of gross leasable space to the Dimond Center, which currently features 750,000 square feet of retail stores including Best Buy, Old Navy, Gap, American Eagle, Forever 21 and Zumiez, along with popular restaurants and eateries, family-friendly entertainment venues and office space.

The retail hub is located less than 10 miles south of downtown Anchorage and six miles from Anchorage International Airport, in a region where consumers shop tax free. South Anchorage is also home to some of the highest-income earners in Alaska, with annual salaries exceeding $100,000.

Dimond has engaged FFO Realty, a leading real estate and development advisory firm headquartered in Baltimore, to lead leasing efforts on behalf of the project. FFO Realty brings more than 40 years of outlet-center leasing experience to Dimond Center, says Hugh Ashlock, a member of Dimond Center LLC. We look forward to working with FFO Realty to bring Alaskas consumer community and rich tourist market our states first-ever outlet-center shopping experience.

Ashlock tells GlobeSt.com that construction will begin on the outlet center in Spring 2013. So far, weve had very good response from typical full-line brandsthe same grouping in most outlet centers are very interested, and there are some luxury brands interested, too.

Dimond hopes to attract the bush shoppers residing in the states rural areas who come into Anchorage a few times a year for special events and medical care, ready to spend their permanent fund dividend checks at local retail outlets including Dimond Center, Ashlock continues. In addition, the cruise-ship industry brings 650,000 passengers through Anchorage every summer, providing additional tourist income for the area.

Read more:
First Alaskan Outlet Center To Open in High-Income Area

By Justin B. Duke

Retail construction and renovation is under way in Florence.

This year Florence will see the opening of a Watsons superstore, Morris Home Furnishings, a new Verizon Wireless store and others.

These are all excellent redevelopment projects, said Josh Wice, Florences business/community development director.

The Watsons will be on Houston Road in the former Ethan Allen furniture store. Watsons currently has an accessory outlet on Mall Road, but the new store will offer much more, Wice said. Watsons sells pools, pool supplies and equipment along with indoor entertainment.

They will have the space to offer a full-service store with everything Watsons offers, he said.

The Verizon Wireless store is being built in the old Lonestar steakhouse lot on Mall Road. The new store will replace its current store across the street, and that building will be open for lease.

Morris Furniture is currently renovating the old Kmart building on Burlington Pike.

Having a company thats new to the area invest a significant amount of money in an existing building is an encouraging sign for Florences retail development, Wice said.

It will be very complementary to the surrounding business community, he said.

See the original post here:
Trio of stores highlight Florence's retail future

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Macys Herald Square (NYSE:M), New York Citys most iconic department store, is undergoing a monumental makeover with the ground-breaking for the Worlds Largest Shoe Floor beginning today. With the first phase of a four-year renovation project of the famous flagship now underway, 300,000 pairs of shoes will step into a brand-new 63,000 square foot space (retail and stock) in the Broadway building, making the shoe floor on 2 the must-shop destination of the fall 2012 season. Taking the shopping experience to a new level, the second floor space will feature brand-new luxury shoe shops, a designer shoe salon, and curated shoe closets inspired by New York Citys trendiest neighborhoods. While shopping for shoes, customers can indulge their senses with the best champagne from around the world at the stores new, stylish coffee, champagne and chocolate bar within the space.

With the construction of the shoe floor, Macys Herald Square enters the first phase of a renovation project that will continue through November 2012 bringing dramatic changes to the Main Floor, Mezzanine and Second Levels, and all Broadway entrances. Announced in November 2011, the renovation will be one of the biggest retail remodels ever with the Manhattan flagship ultimately undergoing a total top-to-bottom transformation. The multi-year, multi-million dollar ($400 million) renovation project will reconfigure the legendary landmark through architectural and technological enhancements adding an extra 100,000 square feet of selling space. Increasing its retail space to 1.2 million square feet, the store will bring in new departments, dining destinations and multi-level shops offering the worlds leading luxury brands, as well as establishing the Worlds Largest Shoe Floor for a unique shopping experience found only at the Worlds Largest Store.

Main Floor construction is scheduled to begin the following week (week of March 19) with the Main Broadway entrance to the store expected to close on March 19. Both 34th and 35th Street entrances will also close in the coming weeks and will re-open to the public before the holiday season. An exciting and visually spectacular shopping environment will be created when the Main Floor unveils a street of shops that will frame the world-famous Broadway entrance by early fall. During construction the store will remain open to service customers.

Macys Herald Square District Vice President, Patti Lee notes that, Macys Herald Square is one of the most visited and shopped department stores in New York City with 20 million visitors each year. Our customers have started to see their favorite departments move to new locations so that we can begin the actual construction of the extensive renovation project. Well work to minimize the disruption to our customers by adding a team of information ambassadors at our entrances to help them navigate the store. She adds, We ask for our customers patience during the renovation process as we create a more dynamic shopping experience for them with the introduction of new brands, shops and restaurants.

For construction to begin, the planning and physical moves of high-traffic departments have been months in the making. Main Floor departments such as Fragrances, Handbags, Watches and Menswear will be relocated to new locations. To make way for the Worlds Largest Shoe Floor, the second floor, which currently houses the stores Impulse department, will relocate collections and shops to Floors 3, 4, and 5. Fashion favorites including Bar III, Denim & Supply, INC International Concepts, Rachel Rachel Roy, Tommy Hilfiger, among others will all move to 3, while active wear and contemporary denim will set up shop on Floors 4 and 5.

Womens Shoes, currently located on two separate floors (4 and 5) in the Seventh Avenue building and totaling approximately 54,000 square feet, will be housed in one architecturally grand space that will increase by 9,000 square feet following the renovation. The new second floor space will feature 39,000 square feet of continuous selling space and approximately 24,000 square feet devoted solely to stockrooms housing the seasons best fall footwear. Setting the stage for the ultimate shoe shopping experience, the shoe floor on 2 will continue to feature an incomparable selection of Macys most popular designer brands, while offering shoe shops from Calvin Klein, Coach and Michael Kors, among others. Luxury brands will also move into the brand new space to offer an unparalleled assortment for customers.

About Macys

Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Macy's stores and macys.com offer distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy's is known for such epic events as Macy's 4th of July Fireworks and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances.

For Macys media materials, images and contacts, please visit our online pressroom at http://www.macys.com/pressroom.

Original post:
Monumental Makeover in Store for Famous Flagship as Construction of the World’s Largest Shoe Floor Begins March 12

Garrick Brown

NORTH BAY Shopping centers in Marin and Napa counties have very little available space overall, moving rents higher. Larger-population Sonoma and Solano counties have vacancy rates two to four times as high, but the markets are expected to stabilize.

Marin County center vacancy was just 3.1 percent at year-end. Thats down from 4.0 percent in the third quarter and late 2010,reflecting net occupancy gains of 59,000 square feet in the fourth quarter and 52,000 all year.

Marin vacancy is so low it threatens growth. Larger tenants havefew premium options. By now, developers would have been back in action. A number of planned projects are set to start construction in months ahead, but no major new retail centers were under construction in the Bay Area last year. So in 2012, expect vacancy to tighten further and rents to climb quickly.

In the Bay Area, grocers and discounters were among the most active lessees in 2011. That didnt play out in Marin, thanks to few options for these larger users. Health clubs, banks and salons have been active, but the most active smaller space users, by far, have been restaurant chains particularly fast-food and fast-casual concepts.

Neighborhood and community center vacancy in Marin fell 34,000 square feet in 2011 to 5.1 percent. The recent average triple-net annual asking rent of $22.66 per square foot masks a range from $12 to $36, with first-tier centers at the top.

Vacancy at unanchored strip centers, stillthe most challenged property type, decreased 19,000 square feet to 2.3 percent. Theres still little demand from mom-and-pop retailers, a bread-and-butter tenant for such centers.

Regional and power center vacancy was a scant 0.8 percent last year, with just about 17,000 square feet available. Vacancy and space absorption didnt change in 2011, but asking rent increased 5 percent to $37.05 per square foot.

Pricing for even Marins weakest offerings will stabilize in 2012, and rent growth will accelerate in the face of such low vacancy rates.

Napa Valley center vacancy decreased over six consecutive quarters to an extremely low2.8 percent in the third quarter then up to3.1 percent at year-end. Occupancy grew by nearly 56,000 square feet last year, besting the 51,000 square feet absorbed in 2010 and much improved from 100,000 net square feet vacated in 2008 and 2009.

Read the original:
Marin, Napa shopping space tightens; Sonoma, Solano retail stabilizes

UPDATE: Construction is now planned to start this summer on two new city parking ramps in the downtown.

Work on a 500-space ramp, across First Avenue East from the citys Convention Complex and hotel, is expected to start first, with work on a second, 550-plus-space ramp, on Second Street SE between Sixth and Seventh avenues SE near the new federal courthouse, slated to start by late summer.

The First Avenue East ramp should be ready in the spring of 2013, in time for the completion of the hotel renovation and the completion of the Convention Complex project, which includes a new convention center and the renovation of the arena connected to the hotel.

The Second Street SE ramp should be complete in the summer of 2013, city engineering manager Rob Davis said Monday.

Davis said the estimated cost of the Convention Complex ramp is $13 million, which includes the cost of design, construction and some property acquisition. The city owns most of the property and currently uses it for a surface parking lot. The Second Street SE ramp, which will go up on city-owned land, is expected to cost $11 million, he said.

The ramps are expected to include some commercial retail space on their first floors, with the Convention Complex ramp connected to the citys skywalk system. The Second Street SE ramp one day may be connected to the system, Doug Neumann, executive vice president at the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, said Monday.

The Alliance manages the citys downtown parking operation, and Neumann said those parking in the two new ramps will pay higher rates than those parking in other city ramps.

The expectation is that the parking fees in the new ramps will cover more than 90 percent of the cost of the debt taken on to build the new ramps, Neumann said.

At its meeting Tuesday, the City Council will vacate a piece of city-owned right of way needed for the Convention Complex ramp project.

On Tuesday, the council also will approve its annual budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The councils proposed budget calls for selling bond debt to provide funds to build the Second Street SE ramp.

More here:
Construction on new Cedar Rapids parking ramps to start this summer