Stonebridge Village is a 520,000-square-foot development going up on Spout Springs Road at I-985 across from the Holland Dam Road intersection.
Formal groundbreaking is planned later today - although work has been underway on the project for several months.
"This is the most significant retail development announced for Flowery Branch and Hall County for almost three decades," explains Tim Berg, vice president, Halvorsen Holdings. "Stonebridge Village will provide Gainesville-Hall County residents easy access to the household names in retail along with the dining alternatives that are in demand. This is a shopping destination where residents will return time and time again to fill their shopping carts."
Located on 55 acres, the anchor line-up of national retailers includes: Target, Home Depot, Kohl's, OfficeMax, PetSmart and Ross Dress for Less. Chick-Fil-A, and Chili's. In addition, Wachovia Bank and Gainesville Bank & Trust are expected to have branch banks on the site.
Berg says an additional 53,400 square feet of small shop space will accommodate national, regional and local retailers and restaurants.
"The unprecedented level of retailer interest can be attributed to the complete lack of sisterstore competition and the growing strength of the Gainesville-Hall County market as a regional commercial node," Berg added. "Retail follows rooftops and, with the residential explosion currently underway, this market is primed for our brand of regional development."
When completed, Flowery Branch officials expect Stonebridge to generate approximately $4 million in sales tax revenue and bring an estimated 1,200 to 1,500 jobs to the area.
The shopping center is expected to open next spring.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2007/4/91160