Published: September 26, 2006 08:23 am      

Developer promoting outdoor mall

A Greenville, S.C., developer has proposed a 120-acre outdoor mall for Richmond on land between Goggins Lane and Exit 87 of Interstate 75.

Britt Goodson of Carolina Holdings said his firm has “a relationship” with property owners in the area and is working to secure some large commercial tenants to anchor the development.

A spokesperson for one property owner confirmed discussions with an agent for Carolina Holdings, but said no property had changed hands.

Goodson sounded cautious but optimistic when he said his firm believes it can secure commitments from enough “appropriate anchors to start moving dirt by the spring of 2007.” By creating “an attractive critical mass of anchors,” a lot of other stores will follow, he said.

Reports circulating around Richmond in recent days have centered on Meijer, Home Depot, Kohl’s and Target, but Goodson would not confirm any prospects.

Among the stores in two Carolina Holdings developments in Tennessee are Target, Dick’s sporting goods, TJ Maxx, Old Navy, Staples business supplies, Best Buy, Books-A-Million, Belk’s, Kroger and JCPenney.

Carolina Holdings’ retail properties often include a large cinema complex as well as retail outlets and restaurants. A large grocery store leads customers to visit a site more often, Goodson said, and Carolina holdings hopes to attract one to its Richmond development.

The proposed layout displayed on Carolina Holdings’ Web site, www.choldings.com, is similar to the Hamburg Place mall in Lexington, only 21 miles to the north.

Carolina Holdings believes the retail market in Madison County and the trade area to the south and east is “underserved,” Goodson said. The area extends east to Beattyville, west to Lancaster and south to Barbourville and Corbin.

Shoppers who currently drive past Exit 87 to Hamburg Place from Richmond or points beyond could cut 42 miles from their round trip by visiting The Shoppes at Richmond Centre, as Carolina Holdings has labeled the development.

The trade area for Richmond Centre has a population of 216,380 and an average household income of $41,032, according to the developer’s statistics.

“We’ve had success in other trade areas similar to Richmond’s, Goodson said.

Carolina Holdings has developed a mall in Cookeville, Tenn., which like Richmond, lies on an interstate highway and is home to a regional university. The firm has 15 anchors in a Mt. Juliet, Tenn., development that Goodson said is 80 percent complete. Like Richmond, Mt. Juliet is in the shadow of a larger metropolitan area, Nashville.

Property owners in the area where The Shoppes at Richmond Centre is proposed say they have had discussions with the developers or their agents, but “nothing is set in stone, and no property has changed hands.”

According to a zoning map displayed at Richmond City Hall last week, two sections of the 120 acres are zoned for agricultural use, but Goodson said Carolina Holdings was performing the necessary “due diligence,” to secure a zone change for the property.

Environmental tests have been conducted in the area, one property owner said.

Carolina Holdings has retained the services of Richmond attorney Michael Eaves to handle its legal affairs in Madison County, Goodson said.

Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 623-1669, Ext. 267.