An open-air shopping center
being developed by CBL & Associates
Properties, Chattanooga, Tennessee,
and The Benchmark Group, Amherst,
New York, has created opportunities
for more than 200 construction jobs
along Williamson Boulevard in Port
Orange. Another 1,000 jobs will be
created upon completion of Volusia
County’s newest retail center.
Named The Pavilion at Port
Orange, this 800,000-square-foot retail
center is part of a 73-acre development
that began early in 2008 and promises
to change the retail shopping patterns
of thousands of area residents.
“Area residents and visitors will
enjoy the central park design at The
Pavilion that features a covered children’s soft play area, a
performance stage and open
green space around the project’s seven-acre lake along with the
brand named shopping
and entertainment the new project will present,” said Wayne Clark,
community
development director for the City of Port Orange.
CBL & Associates Properties are leasing to a number of brand
retailers. Pavilion
will be anchored by the department store Belk, and by a
state-of-the-art 14-screen
Hollywood Theaters.
“We have been fortunate in difficult times to attract the interest
and commitments
from other key retailers such as Marshall’s, Michael’s and a
national pet store,” said Bob
Elliot with CBL & Associates Properties. “The shopping experience
also will feature a
number of shops and restaurants including Alfredo’s Restaurant, an
AT&T store, Cold
Stone Creamery, David’s Bridal, GNC, Five Guys Burgers and Fries,
Lee Nail Spa, Olive
Garden, Rack Room Shoes, Red Brick Pizza, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers,
Sunglass
World, and Visionworks.”
Site and infrastructure work began on The Pavilion in January 2008
and the first of
the 800,000 square feet of building space was under construction by
summer.
“This has been a great opportunity for the community,” said Clark.
“Not only does Port Orange gain
from some outstanding shopping and
entertainment opportunities, but also
we have benefited by more than $7
million in new area road
improvements and upgrades.”
New retail, entertainment and
restaurants also represent a major
infusion of new tax base to the
county.
“The Pavilion project represents
a significant capital investment in
Port Orange and Volusia County,”
said Phil Ehlinger, business manager
with the Volusia County Department
of Economic Development.
“Construction costs are expected to
exceed more than $70 million for one
of the most aesthetic and exciting shopping experience anywhere
countywide.”
The investment by CBL and The Benchmark Group creates a considerable
amount of new tax base that will benefit county and city residents
as well as the
county’s schools. But, more than just the benefits of new shopping
and entertainment
for the community, The Pavilion creates new jobs.
“The Pavilion at Port Orange will generate nearly 1,000 new jobs in
retail, service,
office, transportation, entertainment, restaurants and hospitality
with payrolls expected
to exceed $25 million a year,” said Ehlinger.
“At a time when the economy is producing a lot of negative news,
Port Orange has
encouraged and supported a new jobs initiative along Williamson
Boulevard,” said Rick
Michael, director of the Volusia County Department of Economic
Development. “These
jobs and the payrolls they represent will make a significant impact
to businesses
throughout the city and beyond.”
The Pavilion at Port Orange is scheduled to open this fall.
For more information about The Pavilion at Port Orange go online to
cbldevelopment.com/portorange
to view a variety of artist renderings and images of
the project.
