ANDERSON — A conceptual plan is beginning to lay the groundwork for the future development of the Edgewood Plaza property along Nichol Avenue on Anderson’s west side.
Greg Winkler, executive director of the Anderson Economic Development Department, presented the plan to the Anderson Redevelopment Commission on Tuesday.
Winkler estimated the cost for infras tructure improvements at $4.1 million over the next few years to include a network of streets and storm water drainage on the property and along Nichol Avenue.
“This starts to get the site to where it can be developed,” he said.
Winkler said the Redevelopment Commission has the necessary funds to pay for the current projects being completed and that there is money set aside for the development of the Edgewood Plaza property.
He noted there is $6.2 million in the Nestle’s tax increment financing, or TIF, account that could be used for the project.
“All the projects the commission has done provide funding for projects like this in the future,” Winkler said.
Commission member Carolyn Scott said she is glad to see progress on the site.
“This is what I’ve been pushing for,” she said. “I’m glad to see some progress being made.”
Before the meeting, Winkler said the conceptual plan begins to maximize the future use of the property.
“There is interest in the property from retail outlets,” Winkler said. “This is a conceptual plan of how Edgewood Plaza could be developed in the future.”
All the necessary city utilities and a gas line are adjacent to the site.
A study done by Buxton Co. identified 20 potential national retail companies that could consider a location in the Edgewood Plaza area.
That study found the location would be suitable for restaurants, clothing, hardware, pet supply and grocery stores.
ITALPOLLINA
The Redevelopment Commission approved the sale of 7.39 acres to Italpollina in the Flagship Center east development for a proposed research and development facility.
The sale price is $2,000 per acre.
The property is directly south of the Italpollina plant that will begin production of natural biostimulant products unique to the North American agricultural market.
The 70,000-square-foot facility was a $9.2 million investment by the Italian company which hopes to start production by the end of the year.
Italpollina has an option on 5.9 acres directly north of the current plant for the future expansion of production.