Controversial changes to a retail development plan on North Bechtle Avenue have been unanimously approved by Springfield city commissioners.

The undeveloped land north of Walmart could see the addition of up to nine new stores, including two large anchor stores, expanding the already busy retail area. Construction could begin this spring.

Two weeks ago, residents spoke out against the plan to add more retail to the popular Springfield shopping area, fearing traffic and trash may overwhelm their neighborhood on nearby St. Paris Pike and Home Road.

No one spoke in opposition at a commission meeting Tuesday evening.

The original plan for the site was approved in 2006, meaning development was planned regardless of whether the changes were approved or not, said Mayor Warren Copeland.

Its not like were going back to nothing if we vote against it, Copeland said.

Two stores have agreed in principle to build at the new development, while a deal with another is close, according to Jim Peifer, the developers attorney. One of the possible tenants is a big box store, but no more information has been released.

One store rumored to relocate to the area is Hobby Lobby, which is currently located in the Springfield Plaza Shopping Center, 1390 Upper Valley Pike. However, Hobby Lobby spokesman Vince Parker said theyre very happy with their current location.

Its strictly rumor, Parker said. Were not moving that store and have no plans to move that store.

Development of the original 2006 plan was slowed by the recession.

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Commissioners approve North Bechtle retail plan

CHICAGORetail development has hit its highest level since 2010. To meet the increased demand for retail project management JLL has just expanded its retail team by adding Bill Moston, a 30-year veteran, as senior vice president, national retail development. In his new role, the Chicago-based Moston will advise JLLs clients and execute ground-up retail projects, redevelopments and renovations across the US, as well as manage anchor store negotiations and tenant coordination.

Adding Bill to our development team will allow JLL to better advise its clients seeking to update or create new retail space, says Larry Jensen, senior director of retail development at JLL. His experience counseling and partnering with owners and investors on how to best align projects with market demand and retailer requirements will provide a huge advantage to JLLs clients.

According to JLL research, nearly 50 million square feet of retail spaces were delivered in 2014 with general retail space, including the construction of urban storefronts, driving the market. Mall construction has also grown significantly, with total US deliveries in 2014 rising nearly 43% year-over-year.

Shopping center owners and investors held off updating their centers during the downturn, but now were finally seeing these assets getting capital allocated for renovations or expansions, says Moston. I am thrilled to join JLL and look forward to growing the retail development business, and partnering with owners on their development and construction needs during this exciting time for the retail industry.

Moston started his career in retail at the Homart Development Co., and then led regional development and redevelopment teams for General Growth Properties for more than 10 years. In 2006, Moston jumped to the investment side of the business, and spent time at the Archon Group, a Goldman Sachs Co., where he sourced and developed retail investment opportunities. Most recently he served as a relationship manager at Credit Suisse.

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Moston Joins JLL as SVP/Retail

MASON CITY | The City Council will hear a presentation Tuesday night on a proposed downtown redevelopment project that includes a hotel,an ice arena/multi-purpose center that would occupy the space in Southbridge Mall being vacated by JC Penney, aperforming arts pavilion, parking ramp, apartments and retail space.

The city is expected to file a pre-application for money funded through the Iowa Reinvestment Act.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the project.

Q: What is the total cost of the project and who is paying for what?

A:The total cost is estimated at $30.65 million. Here is how it is divided:

Marriott hotel: Private investment of $10 million by G8 Development, San Diego.

Parking ramp: $4.5 million. It would be owned and operated by the city with spaces for 200 to 250 vehicles. Of these, 110 would be leased to the hotel for use by employees and hotel guests. The remainder would be available to the public. Construction would be primarily funded through the tax increment financing district.

Apartments/retail building: $2.5 million. Private investment (G8).

Performing Arts Pavilion: $1.65 million. A citizens committee has raised $191,000. Additional private funding is being sought.

Ice arena/multi-purpose center: $12 million. The Mason City Youth Hockey Association has pledged up to $2 million in cash and equipment. Other funding sources include Reinvestment District revenues, $4.8 million; Local Option Sales Tax revenues, $1.2 million; tax increment financing, $3.5 million; and Cerro Gordo County, $500,000.

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Answers to frequently asked questions on downtown project

MASON CITY | A co-branded Caribou Coffee will likely open by the end of this year as a part of the Hampton Inn & Suites project in Mason City.

Kinseth Hospitality said on Monday Caribou Coffee is a confirmed tenant in the retail portion of the project. It will be co-branded with Einstein Bros. Bagels, whose menu include a variety of bagels, sandwiches, salads and soups.

"We think that's an exciting thing," said Gary Kinseth, vice president of the North Liberty company.

Kinseth Hospitality, which owns 70 hotels in the upper Midwest, announced last year that it would be tearing down the Clarion Inn and replacing it with a Hampton Inn & Suites, retail space and a housing project.

Outside demolition of the Clarion Inn is expected to begin on Tuesday or Wednesday with construction of the new hotel and retail space to begin as soon as the weather permits this spring, Kinseth said.

The retail space, featuring two tenants, will be built along the frontage road with the hotel behind it.

Les Kinseth, president, said the company continues to search for a tenant for the other part of the retail space, which will include a fast-casual restaurant.

The company expects the retail building to be completed around September and said Caribou Coffee hopes to open in December.

The 83-room Hampton Inn & Suites is expected to be completed by spring 2016, with the housing development built within four years, according to a development agreement with the city of Mason City.

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Caribou Coffee, Einstein Bros Bagel hybrid to open in Mason City

A city of Napa report lists the following retail and commercial changes in downtown in 2014:

First Street Retail Corridor

In the west end of First Street, Empire Napa was renamed Methode Bubble Bar. At Napa Square, Studio M Fine Wines is nearing completion and set to open soon in the former Huether Art Gallery, and tenant improvements are underway for the UPS Store, relocating from its nearby location on Second Street.

Cadet Beer and Wine opened in August in the alley behind Anettes Chocolates. The Heritage/Capp Family Wine Tasting Room opened at 1245 First St., and Mustard Seed Clothing relocated to 1227 First St. from its longtime location across the street in Napa Center.

Shoes on First became Sole Desire in November, and Napa Cigar opened nearby.

NakedWines.com" href="http://NakedWines.com" target="_blank">NakedWines.com closed its tasting room and expanded its offices to larger quarters at the former Copia buidling. Ca Momi will open a second dining spot at the NakedWines.com site in the spring. Ca Momi will be reducing its space and operations at the Oxbow Public Market.

On Dwight Murray Plaza, Jax White Mule Diner and Shiro restaurants opened in February, and two former individual spaces were combined and major improvements completed for Atlas Social Restaurant, which opened at the end of the year. BurgerFi restaurant opened at the old Riverside Auto Garage location.

Several relocations and closures were prompted by the planned construction of the 183-room Archer Hotel and improvements to Napa Center, expected to continue through fall of 2016. Shahin Rug Gallery moved from First Street to Second Street, Boho Lifestyle Boutique temporarily moved to Second Street before finding a new home at 1390 First St., and Williamson & Co. Menswear moved to 1144 Main St.

Ceja Vineyards merged its First Street tasting room with a brewery and tasting room in Sonoma, and Cult Following and Wildcat Clothing reportedly plan to reopen at new locations. The Napa Center project got underway last spring, renovating common areas and building shell spaces to accommodate 40 future shops and restaurants in 130,000 square feet of upgraded retail space.

Riverfront

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Dozens of business changes alter face of downtown in 2014

More than $35.4 million in permits for private property improvements were issued for downtown projects in 2014, according to a city report.

Thats a substantial increase over 2013, when the building permit valuation for private projects in downtown was reported at just over $7 million.

Early work on the Archer Hotel and Napa Center project represents the bulk of the 2014 total, said Robin Klingbeil, the citys senior development project coordinator. Those combined are about $30 million, she said.

Last year was marked by a significant amount of both private and public activity, including new business openings, relocations and expansions, major tenant improvements, renovations, and infrastructure upgrades, Klingbeil said in an email.

The 2014 figure is made up of $30.3 million for new construction (including the Archer and Napa Center); $3.8 million for tenant improvements; and $1.3 million for commercial remodel projects. It does not include permits for earthquake damage repair.

The citys numbers were compiled from city building permit records, private developers, RealQuest, MetroScan data services and news reports.

Since 1996, total investment in the greater downtown area has topped $1.2 billion, the city said.

Overall, downtowns economic performance is on a steady incline, and the view is positive, said Rick Tooker, community development director for the city.

Even prior to the earthquake, there were millions of dollars in building improvements underway to upgrade existing retail and office spaces, as well as for construction of new projects like the Archer Hotel, he said .

However, there are individual businesses that have struggled, and the impact of the earthquake on top of the construction activity surrounding them continues to pose challenges. As the construction is completed and storefronts and offices reopen, our hope is that the struggling businesses will once again see higher access and visibility, and given the projects in the pipeline, the future looks bright, he said.

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Downtown construction permits top $35 million in 2014

A MAJOR overhaul of a Bradford retail park has been given the green light by planners.

Improvements to Forster Square Retail Park, including more pedestrian links to the rest of the city, a children's play area and a new customer service building, have been given the go ahead by Bradford Council

The retail park's car park will become a one way system, new cycle parking will be installed and a pedestrian underpass underneath Hamm Strasse will be made "more welcoming".

British Land owns the site and its planning application says the group is looking to "invest in the park to enhance the shopping environment and public realm".

The group says the changes were sought because of the ongoing improvements to the Forster Square Railway Station and the soon to open Westfield development.

The retail park contains some of the city's biggest shops, including national names like Asda Living, Next, and Currys, as well as cafes and restaurants like McDonalds and Subway.

The application says more efforts are needed to be made to to prevent the retail park from becoming a car-only destination.

The plans involve the creation of 40 cycling spaces, new benches and street furniture and an events space. The changes will leave the car park with 18 fewer spaces.

The "customer service lodge" will provide facilities for shoppers include disabled toilets a baby changing area, and an on site security presence.

The play area will be created near the entrance to the northern part of the park, overlooked by the block of cafes and coffee shops.

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Green light for improvements at city retail park

While many Snowmass businesspeople and residents are worried that building too much retail space in Base Village will spread the spending too thin, others believe constructing more space will create a robust dining and shopping scene there.

The question of what the right amount is has become a hot topic as Related Colorados application to amend the current approvals on the project wends its way through the Planning Commissions initial review, now expected to wrap up March 4 after another continuance Wednesday.

While its a question that would normally be settled in the second phase of the towns land-use review process, Community Development Director Julie Ann Woods noted Relateds proposal to reduce the amount of retail in Base Village as something to look into early on. The town also hired a consulting firm to conduct an analysis of how much retail Base Village could support, which concluded the development could carry much more than is being proposed.

At last weeks Planning Commission meeting though, Base Village restaurant owner Scott Calliham cautioned against using the same assumptions that went into the planning of the Aspen Highlands base, which now has become more popular for offices than for shops or restaurants. Woods, however, thinks Highlands is a different beast, as it is distant from Aspens core rather than in the midst of it.

Were basically one village, Woods said. And yes, theres three different commercial areas, but it was envisioned that way. Im not concerned that well end up a ghost town.

Woods recognizes that visitors to Snowmass will still go to Aspen to shop and dine, but she thinks the village could still offer more for guests to do in the evening. A survey of visitors conducted by Snowmass Tourism last year showed that guests were most disappointed by the lack of variety of bars, restaurants and nightlife and early closing hours in the village, she said.

So why wouldnt we be looking at that as we move into the next stage of development? Woods said.

Members of the public have mixed feelings about the issue. Job Moraes, manager of the Performance Ski retail store in Base Village, thinks the area would benefit from more shops and restaurants.

I think thats going to attract more people to the base, Moraes said. I think that would be a good idea.

However, real estate broker Andrew Ernemann echoed the concern about following in Highlands footsteps.

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Snowmass continues to ponder right amount of commercial space for Base Village

Rendering of what the proposed Daytona Beach outlet mall might look like.

DAYTONA BEACH The $100 million outlet mall project that's expected to create 300 construction jobs and 800 permanent jobs took another step toward reality Thursday night.

The city's Planning Board voted unanimously to rezone 39 acres south of LPGA Boulevard and east of Interstate 95 from industrial park to planned commercial development uses for the roughly 400,000-square-foot retail shopping center.

Site work on the vacant undeveloped property could begin as early as this summer, bringing Volusia County closer to a new place to shop, 400 full-time jobs with salaries ranging from $32,000-$52,000 annually and $700,000-$900,000 each year in new local property tax revenues, said Rob Merrell, the Daytona Beach attorney steering the project.

I am more than tickled pink, Planning Board member Cathy Washington said. Not having to travel to Orlando or St. Augustine is just a jewel. It's something that's been needed a long time in this area.

If all goes well with a few more approvals needed from the City Commission, sometime in 2016 or 2017 the new retail cluster could bring in big-name stores like Banana Republic, Calvin Klein and Nike.

I don't think there's any way you can be negative about what this will do for commerce in Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach, Planning Board member Bob Hoitsma said.

It would be the first outlet mall in Volusia and Flagler counties, and it would be roughly 50 miles from the nearest outlet mall to the north the 340,000-square-foot St. Augustine Premium Outlets complex at the I-95/State Road 16 interchange in St. Johns County and roughly 60 miles from the nearest outlet mall to the southwest, the Orlando International Premium Outlet along International Drive.

The force behind the Daytona outlet mall is Greensboro, North Carolina-based Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc.

Merrell told Planning Board members that Tanger has created 45 other outlet malls since its first in 1981, and the company now has 14 million square feet of retail space with 2,900 individual stores. According to its website, Tanger has retail centers spread across the U.S. and Canada, but its only existing Florida mall is the 22-year-old complex in Fort Myers that generates about $500,000 in property taxes annually.

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Outlet mall gets thumbs-up

Dave Webb has been working at Maryland's Wholesale Seafood Market in Jessup since 1984. For two thirds of those three decades, he has been manning the state-run center's only retail outlet: Frank's Seafood.

So when the longtime owner of Frank's suddenly closed the market in September 2014 for personal reasons, few people were more affected than Webb, although he certainly wasn't the only one lamenting the loss of the Howard County mainstay.

"The customers were shocked, devastated," Webb said recalling the shutdown. "That's where people shopped for fish Frank's Seafood."

Starting this month, thanks in part to Webb, customers will again have an option at the center as New York-based Wild's Seafood has opened a retail market inside the space formerly occupied by Frank's.

The market, which opened last week, is scheduled to have a grand opening Saturday, Feb. 28, says Webb, who was brought on to manage the new market. The market's hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 12 to 5 p.m., Sunday.

Webb says Wild's aims to deliver the same seafood that Frank's did for decades. The list includes fresh crabs, lobster, shrimp and all types of fish. The market also sells some frozen items and ancillary seafood products. Webb said the main product is crab, and that the most popular times of the year are summer holidays like Father's Day, Mother's Day and Independence Day.

According to John Hong, the accountant for Wild Seafood, the New York-based company was interested in expanding it's reach in the Washington, Maryland and Virginia area. It currently operates two markets and one restaurant in New York.

Hong said Wild's identified the space shortly after it became available, but the opening has been delayed because of construction. Grandfathered status allowed Frank's to bypass certain health regulations that Wild's had to address to meet code requirements.

Rose Harrell, director of facilities for the Maryland Food Center Authority, the government agency that owns the location and leases it to tenants, said it was important to replace Frank's and provide a retail outlet to customers.

"We really wanted to get another retail company in that facility," said Harrell, adding that the state agency was happy that Wild's showed an interest.

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Wild's Seafood replaces Frank's in Jessup