SPRINGFIELD -- A local businessman wants to buy land from the city of Springfield in the hopes of rezoning the property to make way for a retail, office and multi-family development.
Matt O'Reilly, a managing member of Dynamic Earth Equipment, pitched his plan to city council members on Tuesday afternoon.
O'Reilly said the development calls for up to 180,000 square feet of retail, office and multi-family properties, including a year round Farmers Market Pavilion.
About 20% of the space would be dedicated to boutique retail, "things like coffee, ice cream, entertainment uses, things like that. So, it would be a very vibrant retail center for upscale retail," said O'Reilly.
The property selected for the project sits at the intersection of James River Freeway, Republic Road and Glenstone Avenue. The development would occupy about 8 acres.
First reading on the purchase and rezoning request is expected to go before council on April 23; a final vote could happen in June.
If approved, O'Reilly said construction will be done in three phases, with the intention of starting the first phase this August.
