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Publix to open store in Bowie
Commons development
By Richard Edmondson
Publix Supermarkets will become the anchor tenant in the new Bowie Commons development, construction on which could begin as soon as late summer, it was announced last week.
"We would like to tonight publicly announce to the community of Fairview that we have secured Publix Supermarkets to be the anchor of our center, Bowie Commons," announced Ralph Knauss to members of the Fairview Board of Commissioners last Thursday.
Knauss, of the Franklin development firm, SouthStar, Inc., said a sign at some point in the near future will be placed in front of the undeveloped commercial property, located adjacent to City Center, saying "Publix coming soon."
The announcement comes as welcomed news in the midst of an economic downturn that has gripped the country-and it also caps off a two-year period of uncertainty which saw public concerns aroused over the fate of Bowie Park.
"I truly believe that this is a blessing to us in our company; it´s a huge blessing for this community, and will continue to be a blessing in a lot of ways. It´s going to be a first class shopping center that you all are going to have in the community. It´s going to provide jobs, it´s going to provide income, and it´s going to provide future growth once we come out of this economy," Knauss said.
"I´d also like to thank this board, every one of you, as well as the two former board members that were on the past board. You all have worked extremely hard. You´ve put a lot of time, effort, thought, discussion-to help make this turn into reality. We certainly understand we still are subject to come before the Planning Commission and get permits and do the things we need to do, but we see the finish line in sight," he added.
Knauss estimated construction will begin in late summer or early fall this year, consisting of earth moving and site preparation work initially. He said the completion of the project and the opening of the anchor store might take place by late 2010.
"I believe that this project will be an asset for all of Fairview, to help bring in other
businesses, and everything," said Commissioner Toney Sutton. May 13, 2009 |