Aberdeen city leaders say a proposed 14-acre shopping district to be built next to Ripken Stadium will bring diversity to the city?s business base, as opposed to competing with existing city businesses.
Known as the Stadium Town Center, the proposal calls for a nine-building shopping district that will bring several retail stores to Aberdeen, as well as high-end chain restaurants, a main street retail center and a bank with a drive-through, according to Aberdeen city planner Phyllis Grover.
Council Member David Yensan said the negotiations to bring specific businesses to the Stadium Town Center are ongoing, but Havre de Grace-based owner/developer CBCY LLC is looking to reel in big-name businesses, such as Starbucks, Best Buy, Office Depot or Staples.
“I think this particular project makes all of the sense in the world,” Yensan said. Many of the businesses that will be housed in the development will be new to Aberdeen, he said.
“Now, I won?t have to leave town.”
“The more you have to offer people, the more they will come. People want variety, they want change. They don?t want to eat at the same restaurant all the time. I think this will complement what the city already has to offer,” said Council Member RonKupferman.
Grover said the retail development will front Churchville Road on the north side of Interstate 95, and will be accessible from Ripken Stadium. Years ago, developers bought several houses that dot the land with the intention of tearing them down to make way for the project, she said.
Principals of CBCY LLC, Ron Benfield and Nick Conits, did not return phone messages Tuesday.
The preliminary site plan for Stadium Town Center will be presented to the Aberdeen Planning and Zoning Commission in the City Council chambers today at 7 p.m.
