RD Management reveals major retailer’s Glenville prospect
Schenectady County and town officials were mum about what major retailer is planning to open at the former Kmart site in Glenville, but residents aren’t left guessing anymore after a possibly preemptive reveal on the Internet.
Target appears to have their crosshairs aimed at Glenville after a site plan recently appeared on RD Management’s website, which preceded any official announcement. The owner of the property on Route 50 is an affiliate of RD Management. The major retailer, which is now revealed as Target, planned to invest $17 million into the property.
On its
website
, after clicking on the `properties` tab, is the Glenville site with a link to download `info and map.` This link then opens a new window with a PDF of site information, but a newly added site plan with Target’s logo placed over the main retail space seems to confirm the retailer’s intention. Also, under major tenant the information stated `New Target Coming Soon.`
`We’ve been in talks with the owner of the property, as well as with the county, and we are preparing for a major retailer to take over the Kmart site,` said Glenville Supervisor Christopher Koetzle. `As you saw from the website that retailer is Target.`
According to the site plan, Target will develop a 134,800 square foot store with 728 total parking spaces. Also, there is a retail strip totaling 29,550 square feet along the Glenridge Road facing side of Target and a 5,800 square foot restaurant pad further from the retail strip. No indication has been given from officials to what other retail stores or restaurant would be located on the site.
During the summer of 2011 the former Kmart building is planned to be demolished, said Koetzle. Although there are a lot of reviews left during the process, he said Target plans to have the site open around October 2012.
Target officials said there are no planned stores to open in the state during 2011, but the following year there will be a new store opening in the state.
`Target does not have any stores scheduled to open in New York in 2011,` said Jenna Reck, spokeswoman for Target, in an e-mail. `Beyond 2011, we can confirm plans for a new store within one year of the scheduled opening. The reason for this timing is to avoid disappointment within a community if store opening plans change.`
This isn’t the first time Target expressed interest in the site, because in 2009 the company stopped plans to develop in the town. Target wanted to own the building, but previously RD Management wanted to only lease the property. RD Management will now lease the planned retail strip and restaurant.
`I always kind of had a feeling that they wanted to come to Glenville,` said Koetzle about Target. `I think Glenville is really coming into its own and I think Target recognizes this is a town they want to be in.`
During 2011 budget talks the Town Board stressed the need to grow the commercial sector of the town, because residents face a higher portion of the tax burden compared to neighboring towns with more revenue coming through commercial property taxes.
`This is an important part of strengthening our commercial base,` said Koetzle. `We believe this is going to be an important turning point for us in Glenville and we are excited about it.`
Calls were placed to RD Management, but messages were not returned.
The plaza has been vacant since August 2006 and the total size of the site is 13.2 acres. The owner of the property previously stated they planned to close on the sale of the property by the summer of 2011.“
