Spring Rock Green shopping center is located at the intersection of Route 60 and Chippenham Parkway
Following unanimous approval by the Chesterfield Planning Commission, the proposed redevelopment of an underutilized shopping center at the intersection of Midlothian Turnpike and Chippenham Parkway is one step closer to becoming a reality.
The county’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) has applied to rezone the 41.9-acre Spring Rock Green property for up to 1,100 multifamily units, 125 townhouses or condominiums, office and retail space, a hotel, a parking deck and a sports and entertainment facility that will include two regulation-size ice rinks.
Central to the entire project is the construction of a thoroughfare tentatively named “Celebration Street” with on-street parking, wide sidewalks, streetlights and abundant green space that can accommodate festivals, other community events and more casual gatherings.
Transforming the shopping center and its ocean of mostly empty asphalt into a walkable mixed-use community is part of Chesterfield’s ongoing effort to revitalize eastern Midlothian, while creating synergy with both the Stonebridge development south of Route 60 and the adjacent Boulders office park.
“I think we have a fantastic case and I’m really excited to see this be successful,” said Midlothian District planning commissioner Frank Petroski, who made the motion for approval at the commission’s March 15 meeting.
The Board of Supervisors is expected to vote on the case April 27.
The EDA purchased the Spring Rock Green property last September and set out to capitalize on its highly visible location that serves as a gateway to Chesterfield.
Like Chesterfield’s successful redevelopment of the former Cloverleaf Mall property, this will be a public-private partnership – with the county laying out its overall vision for the site and selling off parcels to private-sector entities that will bring it to fruition.
Collins Enterprises has been selected to develop the initial phase of the project, with 300 multifamily residential units, 27,000 square feet of commercial space and a secure, enclosed parking facility. The company’s investment is estimated at $75 million.
Spring Rock Green's proposed redevelopment includes a central thoroughfare tentatively called "Celebration Street."
“Our vision is to establish a destination community for people to live, work, shop and play,” said Art Collins, president of Collins Enterprises. “The streets will be walkable and have open spaces weaving throughout the development. People will be drawn to the high quality residential, shopping, restaurants and entertainment that creates an exciting overall experience.”
Collins Enterprises has been part of many successful redevelopment projects across the country, including Palmer Square in New Jersey and Harbor Plaza in Connecticut. The company also has worked with cities to revitalize their downtown areas, most recently the Freemason Harbor project in Norfolk.
Under the EDA’s proffered conditions, the multifamily units will be constructed along Celebration Street, with commercial space on the ground floor, in the first phase of the Spring Rock Green redevelopment.
Pending approval by the Board of Supervisors, construction of Phase I could begin this summer and be completed by mid-2024.
“Celebration Street will be the central focus of activity,” said Andrew Condlin, attorney for the EDA. “Having a large open space suitable for festivals and public gatherings will be a great addition to Chesterfield and allow for new types of events in the area.”
To ensure the project has the desired mix of uses, the applicant has committed to build 100,000 square feet of commercial space before it can receive certificates of occupancy for more than 300 residential units.
Pedestrian accommodations are another critical element of the case. In addition to a network of internal sidewalks and a multi-use trail that will connect Spring Rock Green to the Boulders, the Chesterfield Department of Transportation plans to install crosswalks and pedestrian signals so people can safely cross Route 60 to connect with Stonebridge.
“From the beginning, everybody I spoke to was supportive of the concept and vision. There were a lot of questions about ‘How do we get there?’” Petroski added. “We all want to see this vision come to fruition. We need to do our best to ensure that is successful.”
The vision for Spring Rock Green features walkability, green space and outdoor areas for the public to congregate.
