NEW: Garden City’s Remodeling Gets Green Light
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
The first phase of a plan to redevelop Garden City Center won approval from the Cranston Planning Commission on Tuesday night. The Commission unanimously approved plans by The Wilder Companies to construct a new 20,000 square foot building; to redesign traffic patterns, and to reconfigure the shopping center’s gazebo area that will expand the “Village” theme throughout Garden City Center.
In a memo to the Cranston Planning Commission, City Planner Jason Pezzulo found “the proposed land development promotes high quality appropriate design and construction; it will be well integrated with the surrounding area and will reflect its existing characteristics.” The plan won approval from the Cranston Site Plan Review on January 18, 2012.
"Full-steam ahead"
“We are now able to move full-steam ahead in our plans to redevelop Garden City Center into a next generation outdoor shopping destination,” said Thomas V. Wilder, principal of The Wilder Companies. “Retailers and shoppers alike are excited and urging us to move as quickly as possible. We anticipate selecting a general contractor by mid-March, and plan to break ground for this new building in early spring.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTA second phase of this redevelopment will turn former large format retail space into a mix of mid-size and smaller specialty stores. Later phases include construction of several new restaurant spaces and improved traffic and pedestrian links to the Whole Foods Market section of the center.
Changes already made
As Garden City Center prepares to begin construction on this new building, shoppers are already beginning to see signs of change: A newly remodeled Hallmark store reopened on February 4. Construction is also underway for a new Ann Taylor and Edible Arrangements and remodeling has begun at the existing Yankee Candle. Additionally, local retailer Clogs by Alexander’s will relocate from the existing Commons area to the Village. Construction of a newly expanded Williams Sonoma is set to begin in early March.
For more Lifestyle coverage, don't miss GoLocalTV, fresh every day at 4pm and on demand 24/7, here.
