Frequently Asked Questions
What is a "lifestyle center"?
A lifestyle center is a collection of specialty stores, boutiques, restaurants, and entertainment venues that, together, enhance the lifestyles of the communities they serve. With a focus on the outdoor pedestrian experience, lifestyle centers are often viewed as the "anti-mall" retail venue. The hallmarks of lifestyle centers are distinctive design, beautiful landscaping, and architecture that reflect the character of their host community. Lifestyle centers are very different from enclosed malls or more traditional shopping centers. They are typically smaller than an enclosed mall and focus on bringing together smaller format stores that offer better service in a more intimate setting. Traditional shopping centers are generally anchored by grocery stores, convenience retail and/or department stores. While a lifestyle center may include some of these types of stores, they are not the focus of the shopping experience. When they are included, they are designed and located so as to blend harmoniously with the surrounding smaller stores and preserve the pedestrian friendly scale of the center. To accomplish this, building costs for a lifestyle center are generally 3-4 times higher than building costs for an ordinary shopping center or mall due to the upscale architecture, landscaping, wider sidewalks, period lighting, and public amenities. This higher cost generally means a higher assessed value, therefore greater tax revenue per square foot for the community.
Where will it be located?
The Shoppes at Cheshire is proposed to be located in the northwest quadrant of the Route 10 / Interstate 691 Interchange at the north end of Cheshire in the town's Interchange Zone. Primary access is anticipated to be from Route 10 with a likely secondary access from Dickerman Road.
Who is proposing The Shoppes at Cheshire?
Our company, W/S Development Associates is based in Chestnut Hill, MA and is one of the leading real estate development and management companies in the Northeast. Since 1990, we have created a portfolio of more than 70 properties, encompassing some 15 million square feet of retail space throughout the Northeast.
But W/S Development is more than just a portfolio. As a New England-based company, W/S understands traditional values – they're at the core of everything we do. Values such as integrity, pride, respect, hard work, and trust guide us through each and every relationship, partnership, collaboration and opportunity. We combine those principles with progressive building techniques and styles to create state-of-the art centers.
And because we continue to own and operate our centers long after construction is complete, we build, lease and manage them for the long-term. We work with communities and residents to create environments that not only meet their needs, but exceed their expectations, now and in the future.
What other similar projects has W/S Development completed?
W/S Development has built several lifestyle center projects recently including The Shoppes at Farmington Valley on Route 44 in Canton, CT, Derby Street Shoppes in Hingham, MA, and The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley in Millbury, MA. Retailers at these centers include Gap, Barnes & Noble, American Eagle Outfitters, Coldwater Creek, Whole Foods Supermarket, Talbots, Ann Taylor, Williams Sonoma, Apple Computer, Banana Republic, Coldstone Creamery, and National Amusements Theaters.
Would our tax revenue be spent on this project?
No. Taxpayer dollars would not be needed to build The Shoppes at Cheshire. The entire project is to be funded privately.
How much tax revenue would this project generate? Where would that money go?
Based on similar projects completed by W/S Development, it is anticipated that The Shoppes at Cheshire would generate annual property tax revenues of between $1 and $1.5 million. The tax revenue could be spent as the Town of Cheshire deems fit, but tax revenues from other W/S Development centers have been used to help support public services for their towns, or to reduce residential taxes.
How would W/S Development fund installation of public utilities and infrastructure, like sewer and water, on the site?
Private financing would be used to install or upgrade public utilities and infrastructure on and off the site. Again, no taxpayer dollars would be used to build The Shoppes at Cheshire.
Wouldn't this type of project require roadway improvements? Who would pay for them?
Off-site roadway improvements would be necessary. W/S Development would be required to hire a professional transportation engineer to prepare a Traffic Impact and Access Study for the project so that effects to the roadway system could be thoroughly understood, and proper roadway improvements implemented. The study would be submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review as part of the application information. The Shoppes would also require permits from the State Traffic Commission and CTDOT District #1. W/S Development would be responsible for the cost of the transportation system improvements, as well as the costs associated with preparation of the study information.
Where can I get more information?
W/S Development wants to hear from you. For more information about W/S and its affiliate, SR Weiner & Associates, visit us online at www.wsdevelopment.com. For more specific project information, please feel free to email or call project manager Jeffrey Curley with questions, suggestions or concerns at jeff.curley@srweiner.com, or 617-646-3244.
