THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 17, 1995 TAG: 9503170579
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
A Tennessee developer wants to build a shopping center on 34 acres in Churchland - a site that has lingered on the real estate market for years.
The strip center would house at least two newcomers to Hampton Roads: discount outlet Caldor and Hannaford Food and Drug Superstore, real estate sources said. The developer is CBL & Associates Properties of Chattanooga, Tenn., which has built malls throughout the Northeast and Southeast.
A CBL spokesman could not be reached Wednesday. Caldor and Hannaford do not release information on proposed sites until they have signed leases.
``All I can say is that we have worked with CBL in the past, and continue to work with them,'' said Rick Anicetti, Hannaford's senior vice president of retail operations.
Caldor, based in Norwalk, Conn., plans to open up to eight discount stores in this region. Scarborough, Maine-based Hannaford also plans to debut several of its newly styled supermarkets, heavy on perishables, beginning this fall.
The 34 acres where Churchland High School once stood is one of the city's prime properties. But the site hasn't exactly been simmering on the real estate market.
The first developer, who envisioned a shopping center and condominiums, dropped the project. Over the years, several others have looked but have declined.
``It's a little bit more challenging when you're trying to attract retailers to an urban area,'' said Matthew James, the city's economic development director.
The project has yet to make its way through the Planning Department. A public hearing likely will be held in the next two months.
City economic officials are reluctant to talk about the project. But it's clear there are a few sticking points. Several residents and a local real estate mogul are crying foul, saying the area cannot support another shopping center.
``To be real honest, I think it's overstored,'' said Harvey Lindsay, chairman and chief executive of Harvey Lindsay Commercial Real Estate. ``We've built three shopping centers out there, and we've had difficulty leasing. . .
James disagrees, saying retailers would benefit from more shoppers drawn to the area. Also, he said, if the city doesn't develop the property, residents will continue to support a $2.3 million grassy lot decorated with no-trespassing signs.
Residents of the Woodbine community, who recently met with James and real estate representatives, said they know that something eventually will be built on the neighboring property off High Street. But they'd like to have their say in how the land is developed.
``Obviously, no matter what happens, you want to see the integrity of the neighborhood preserved,'' said Michael Blachman, an attorney who lives in the community. ILLUSTRATION: Staff Map
by CNB