The Town Center at Aquia is win-win for Stafford County
Date published: 4/1/2008
The Town Center at Aquia is win-win for Stafford County
On behalf of Ramco- Gershenson Properties Trust, owner of Aquia Towne Center, I want to thank Supervisor Paul Milde and the Stafford County Board of Supervisors for their favorable consideration of the property's rezoning application last month.
The board's action will permit us to proceed with the redevelopment of the shopping center into a vibrant mixed-use community consistent with the principles of the Stafford residents.
The redeveloped center will offer commercial, of- fice, residential, and recreational opportunities within a self-contained community.
I particularly want to thank Mr. Milde for his enthusiastic support of our efforts. Without his leadership, the result we obtained last month could not have occurred.
I am also grateful for the efforts of Supervisors Dudenhefer, Sterling, Crisp, Woodson, Schwartz, and Brito. Finally, I want to thank County Administrator Anthony Romanello and his staff for their assistance.
Leadership and vision is very important in local government, and I appreciate Stafford's willingness to look to the future and entrust Ramco-Gershenson with the opportunity to create a new kind of development.
Ramco-Gershenson remains committed to working with its neighbors and Stafford County to complete the redevelopment work at the shopping center, already under way.
The new center, to be known as The Town Center at Aquia, will provide a showcase for what can happen when local government and responsible development work together toward "win-win" solutions that benefit all participants.
Edward S. Wizner
Farmington Hills, Mich.
The writer is vice president of development/redevelopment for Ramco-Gershenson Inc.
Date published: 4/1/2008
Most recent reader comments:
It's about time...
(posted by
Planet
, Apr. 3, 2008 3:38 pm)  
It's about time someone revamped the aging Aquia Town Center! We don't need anymore dollar stores or store front churches. Stafford is in dire need of some upscale restaurants and shopping. There are enough "bargain" shopping areas and strip malls.
Businesses being 'kicked' out?
(posted by
Minx
, Apr. 1, 2008 7:45 pm)  
Why is that? Because they don't fit in with the developer's vision of an 'upscale' retail place? Seems to me that other business owners would be leery of renting somewhere where they'll be kicked out when they're not the trendy store in town......
Farmington Hills
(posted by
Davidhayz
, Apr. 1, 2008 10:31 am)  
Don't dis Michigan and Farmington Hills! I grew up there, have lived here since 1980 and intend to move back there within the next 3 years. Anyone from Farmington Hills cannot be all that bad. I frequent the Aquia center often and wholeheartedly approve of what is being done to revitalize the center. There are enough "malls" in the area for shopping!
This Love Letter...
(posted by
Dana1
, Apr. 1, 2008 10:25 am)  
ran a few weeks ago in the Stafford County Sun, I believe. I guess the advertising is starting? By the way - several leases not being renewed and some tenants are in court about it.
Get your anti developer feelings
(posted by
patrick4hp
, Apr. 1, 2008 10:09 am)  
out for free on the FLS website. Just so you know, the businesses are being kicked out, leases now being renewed, not them leaving. Not to say that North Stafford doesn't have too much retail space, it does now. But, when it's all over, the Town Center will be something Stafford needed for a long time, a place to live without a car. Work, living, shopping and play all within a walk or a short bus ride. Now, that's a win win.
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