Two things jump out at me from the latest article about the Fountains of Franklin development in Community Newspapers:
Although located across the street from the Fountains, Andy's 24-pump Gas Station & Retail will also be an architecturally related feature of the development. Construction is under way and is expected to have a grand opening in May.
Andy's site plan and elevation approvals occurred many months ago. Is the entirity of Fountains of Franklin - - which has NO approvals as of yet - - going to alter its plans to become "architecturally related" to a corner service station and car wash?
Secondly, given the optimistic headline, it's interesting that the story's writer chose to close with a burst of reality from the mayor:
Franklin Mayor Thomas Taylor said in a March 2 interview that the overall Fountains development has so far only had a concept review at City Hall.
"Right now it's still conceptual," he said. "There's still a lot of things that have to be done - permits, procedures, storm water management. They still have to go before the Plan Commission."
Intriguing, to say the least.
Fountains' fortunes flow
Plans for $90 million project take shape
By John Neville
Staff WriterPosted: March 7, 2007
Equitable Development LLC announced last week the Fountains of Franklin mixed-use retail development will cost an estimated $90 million as it continues its search for major tenants.
The up-to 495,000-square-foot, 60-acre development near South 51st Street and Rawson Avenue initially began as a 70,000-square-foot commercial proposal. Since then, it has added the likes of Sendik's Food Market and a city-owned cultural center to its list of planned tenants.
The sprawling development will be designed for extensive vehicular and pedestrian traffic, with multiple archway entrances and extensive landscaping, fountains, park benches and outdoor dining areas. When complete, it would be one of the largest retail developments in the region, second only to Southridge Shopping Center.
Developers of the project are Equitable, Devo Properties LLC and Andy Khullar.
Greg Devorkin, managing member of Devo Properties, said the development will also feature a 60,000-square-foot medical office, multiple restaurants and a National Bank branch office.
"We expect to be open for Thanksgiving," Devorkin said. "We've just met with the (city) engineering staff so that we can organize and anticipate what work needs to be done so that we can be open by then."
Top tenants
Equitable Development President David Hintzman said other major tenants for the development will be sought.
"There has been an upscale department store and many fashion retailers not currently found at Southridge that have expressed interest in joining The Fountains," he said.
In January, the developers announced a Sendik's Food Market, owned by Ted Balistreri and several siblings, would be constructed within the Fountains of Franklin, serving as anchor tenant.
Although located across the street from the Fountains, Andy's 24-pump Gas Station & Retail will also be an architecturally related feature of the development. Construction is under way and is expected to have a grand opening in May.
Last month the Common Council voted unanimously to endorse two of three wings of a $20 million Franklin Cultural Arts Center proposed for a site in the development. The panel backed a concept plan Feb. 20 that includes a performance auditorium seating of up to 1,350, plus a banquet hall accommodating several hundred more. The facility would include 65,212 square feet.
Still under development
Franklin Mayor Thomas Taylor said in a March 2 interview that the overall Fountains development has so far only had a concept review at City Hall.
"Right now it's still conceptual," he said. "There's still a lot of things that have to be done - permits, procedures, storm water management. They still have to go before the Plan Commission."
Contact reporter John Neville at (262) 317-8572 or [email protected].
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