Work continues at Ivy Market as site is prepped to sell
The Ivy Market shopping center pictured next to the site of the development's second phase. Photo by Amanda Codispoti
Vacant buildings have been demolished and the debris cleared.
Since early this year, work has been ongoing at the site of the second phase of the Ivy Market development as the site’s owner, Valley Bank, is preparing the land to sell to a developer.
Next up is the building of a stone retaining wall near the northern end of the site, next to the Pure gas station on Franklin Road. The bank is spending $39,000 to build the wall, according to a building permit filed in Roanoke.
Valley Bank president and CEO Ellis Gutshall said that the bank is still talking with several developers, but a deal hasn’t been struck.
“We’re still very much in conversations with a number of people,” he said. “Nothing yet that we can actually report.”
The first phase of the site, built in 2006 and 2007, included the Walgreens at the corner of Wonju Street and the building that housed the Richmond-based grocery store Ukrops. The grocery store closed in 2009, and the property went into foreclosure. Valley Bank bought Ivy Market and the adjoining 5 acres.
The bank is looking for a developer that would bring retailers and finish the second phase of the project.
Late last year it appeared that Whole Foods was interested in the old Ukrops’ building, but Gutshall has since said that the organic grocery store decided against opening a store there.
In other Ivy Market news, city council voted this week to restructure the 15-year performance agreement for the development.
The following is from a story reporter Mason Adams wrote about Monday’s city council meeting.
As before, the agreement is still based on tax revenues, which means the city won’t lose a dime if Valley Bank can’t attract a tenant for the Ukrop’s space or a developer to build out the additional acreage to the north included in the project’s second phase. Instead, the city will return half of the tax revenue — including real estate, property, sales and meals taxes — back to the developer the following fiscal year in the form of a grant.
The agreement was also tweaked to allow for retailers that already operate in the city to move to the property, though there are provisions to ensure that any performance grant money is paid only on an increase in revenue from established stores.
Valley Bank President and CEO Ellis Gutshall said the changes to the agreement should help move along progress at the property.
June 7, 2012 - 6:00 AM
I just got a quick look at it because I was driving, but it looked like construction was going on at an old BP gas station on Franklin Road heading toward Tanglewood mall just before the 220 interchange. The property also had a sold sign. Heard anything about that?
Build baby build!!!!!!!!
@Roa10: A frequent reader of this blog told me they were putting an office building in there, but I haven’t checked into the validity of the information. If I can confirm that, I’ll let you know.
I have it on good authority that they’re putting a Chili’s restaurant there.
Has AJ’s on Brandon ave closed?
It’s been dark there all week and no update on their FB since March.
Also I can not find their health inspection on the site.
Maybe they are on vacation as I made this mistake once before when I noticed they had been closed for a week and then back open after I said something on this blog a few years ago.
While driving on main street in Salem, I notice the former Member One branch being torn down, right in front of the new Lowes. I’m curious to see if there are plans for all of these outparcels but have no idea if Lowes owns them. Would you be able to check into this?
@Justin: Nothing comes to mind right away, but I can do some checking.
@Mike D: I just tried calling the restaurant and the line rang and rang. No answering machine. The owners, according to this Storefront blog post, are Cari and Joe Roragen. I’ve left them a message at their home.
Someone posted to your twitter feed on the right with a picture of AJ’s closing a few days ago.
@Justin: I got some answers from Salem’s planning and development department. Hometown Bank plans to build a branch where the Member One branch is being torn down. The city official I spoke with said she didn’t know when the bank would build, and added that they are going to install an ATM for now.
@Roa10: (Forehead slap!) That’s right! @KeithFoster posted a picture of the sign on the door that says,”AJ’s is now closed. We would like to thank all of our loyal customers that we’ve befriended over the past 4 years. We will miss you!”
Thanks for reminding me
THE BP (APPLE MARKET) ON FRANKLIN ROAD WILL BECOME A DR.S OFFICE ACCORDING TO THE EX STORE MANAGER DEMOLITION SHOULD BEGIN SOON !!!!
HEY AMANDA THIS IS WHAT THE CITY OF ROANOKE HAS ON FILE FOR THE FORMER BP
TAXMAP # 5490404
Newman Blackstock Office
Permit Fee: $1,223.58
Taxmap Number: 5490404
Permit Address: 3763 FRANKLIN RD SW
Owner: DRS.NEWMAN BLACKSTOCK & ASSOCIATES
OPTOMETRIST, BAYNE SANDRIDGE, GM
4416 ELECTRIC ROAD
ROANOKE, VA 24018
Applicant: WARNER ENGINEERING INC
@Chris Craft: Thanks for the info!
AMANDA THE FORMER EARL SCHEIB ON 460 IS NOW STAR CITY PAINT AND BODY !!!
“The agreement was also tweaked to allow for retailers that already operate in the city to move to the property”
Oh great, just what Kroger’s been waiting for. They’ll ruin that building just like they did the Harris Teeter on Brambleton if they get their greasy paws on it..
Agreed Amos. Kroger sucks and it would be awful to see that store in IVY Market. What is wrong with this town and people. Doesn’t anybody want some variety. Just heard Wegmans coming to Char’ville. Lets see they have Harris Teeter, Giant, Whole Foods, Martins, Trader Joes and Fresh Market soon to come. Come on Roanoke!!
Maybe I missed it, but do we know if Whole Foods decided just against that location or against Roanoke in general? Any hope to see them in a different part of Roanoke?
@Mike: I can only say that they decided against that site. I’ve tried to ask them whether they are looking in Roanoke or New River, but they won’t talk about it.
Amanda by them not talking that may be a good sign that they are looking. Old Foodlion site on 220 would be a great spot! Also you may want to touch base with Valley bank. Heard through the grapevine that they may be in talks with a grocer/developer that looks promising. See what you can find out! Thanks.
After the Kroger/Harris Teeter swap in 1999/2000, I doubt Harris Teeter will come back here. I don’t think Ukrops achieved any kind of great sales totals that would make HT think this location would be different than previous Roanoke stores.
http://business.highbeam.com/4524/article-1G1-54391054/newswatch