Revised GetGo Development Plans Submitted

Developer Lance Osborne met with the Economic Development Committee to present plans for the back building of the proposed Shoppes at Brainard Crossing development at Wilson Mills and Brainard roads.

The development still hinges on a zoning change for a GetGo convenience store, gas station and car wash that would be at the front of the site. Osborne submitted petitions to allow gas stations in local business zoning, but City Council rejected them.

Osborne then filed a written request for the petitions to be filed with the Board of Elections and council, by charter, must do so. However, Law Director Tim Paluf is researching whether the issue can be on the spring primary ballot or must be in a general election. Paluf said he will have an answer for council on Tuesday.

In addition to GetGo, Osborne wants to build 25,000 square feet of retail space that would involve demolition of part of the existing building that was Catalano's  grocery store.

"This is what we did with ," Osborne said, referring to the Shoppes at Alpha Place.

He plans for a mix of about five tenants that could be a bank, a sit-down restaurant, a fast casual restaurant and other retail space.

Osborne said the entire project would create 120 jobs – 80 for the back building and 40 for GetGo. He estimated that the development would bring in $39,420 in payroll taxes and an additional $8,000 in property taxes to the city and $83,227 in property taxes for the school district.

Members of the committee plan to meet again to discuss the project in December and will make a recommendation to city officials.