The plaza at 6130 Wilmington Pike has a Cub Foods store at the south end, plus 15 other active businesses and storefront space for about 10 more. The master plan shows four new buildings clustered in what is currently parking space, two in front of Cub Foods and two in front of Sherwin-Williams, with a landscaped drive between them.
“We’re trying to create a streetscape,” Lofino said. “Right now we’re reworking the drive aisles to create a better traffic flow. And we want to dress up the center, with benches and decorative lighting.”
Lofino estimated the entire project could take 18 to 24 months, and he said there already has been interest from restaurants and retail stores, including what he called “a national retail tenant who’s willing to pay a premium to get a high-traffic area.”
Lofino hopes the momentum from the renovations could help fill some of the plaza’s existing empty storefronts. That would please Endurance Sports owner Joe Sargent, who has seen the once-full plaza lose tenants in his 10 years.
“I have some longstanding neighbors, and there are some slots that are in constant (flux),” Sargent said. “I would hope for better lighting and any type of business that would draw a lot of people. ... (You want) to give your customers 10 other good reasons to come to your shopping center.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2278 or jkelley@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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