By CATHY JETT
A vacant Shoppers Food Warehouse, once a major draw for Aquia Towne Center, likely will be torn down and replaced.
Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust, which owns the shopping center on U.S. 1 in Stafford County, wants to build a four-story office building there.
"We're always looking for ways to manage and improve our properties," said Thomas W. Litzler, the Farmington Hills, Mich.-based company's executive vice president of development. "Through a series of evaluations, we've determined that this will be a successful addition."
Plans filed with the Stafford Planning Department show a 72,000-square-foot building with a smaller footprint than the grocery store. It is set at an angle, and the remaining grounds are landscaped.
Litzler said no date has been set for construction, and declined to comment on additional plans for the shopping center.
"This is our first step in the project," he said, "and we're not at liberty to say more."
Aquia Towne Center went into a decline after Shoppers moved to nearby Stafford Marketplace three years ago. Business dropped off and a number of other stores also relocated.
"It had become blighted, which for the people who live in Aquia Harbour and the tenants had become a No. 1 issue," said Supervisor Paul Milde, who represents the Aquia District.
Aquia Towne Center gradually got some new tenants, including Northrup Grumman, which has offices there, and The Church on the Rock. But no new anchor.
Milde said he's met with representatives from Ramco-Gershenson and their architects, and has been impressed with their plans for the shopping center.
"I am comfortable that the office building is the first step on a commitment I made to voters to bring life back to it," he said, "and to make them feel safe so they will enjoy spending their time there."
To reach reporter CATHY JETT:
Email: cjett@freelancestar.com