The Falls lots are divied up to deliver to retailers, restaurants

BRISTOL, Va. Construction of retail stores and restaurants at The Falls could be closer to starting following approval Monday of land subdivision details by the citys Planning Commission.

A final plat was unanimously approved by the board and will be considered by the City Council at its June 10 meeting, according to commission member and Mayor Guy Odum.

Interstate Commercial Real Estate Services applied to planners for final clearance on the land proposal, which would subdivide 44 acres into 13 separate parcels, including seven parcels that are already earmarked for commercial development, according to city documents.

Odum said Mondays decision and a final council vote will turn the parcels over to the Industrial Development Authority and then to the respective companies so they can begin construction.

The city is developing the giant retail center in the Exit 5 area of Interstate 81. Workers are already placing final touches on the building pad for Cabelas, the outdoor sporting goods retailer that has agreed to place its first Virginia store in Bristol.

Mondays vote will assist already announced tenants who will occupy up to 1 million square feet of retail space. Restaurant chain Zaxbys, Tennessee-based Calhouns and Smoky Mountain Brewery, and the Sheetz convenience store chain are among other retailers that have been announced as tenants. Lowes Home Improvement warehouse also is expected to open a new store there.

Odum said the move for final plat approval had been delayed because of a closer look at an easement issue conducted by Bristol Virginia Utilities that has been resolved.

Everyone is getting their piece of the pie today, Odum said.

Financiers with the commercial center are currently out selling bonds to help finance the estimated $200 million cost of development.

The project got much needed support from Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who penned legislation, approved by the Virginia General Assembly, which will allow the city to being collecting tax revenues as soon as each store or restaurant is operational. The governor signed the bill in April, during a stop at The Falls.

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The Falls lots are divied up to deliver to retailers, restaurants