[mmmatt]

developer mum on what those stores are, but says site almost entirely committed

Times & Transcript (Moncton)
Wed 14 Feb 2007
Page: A1
Section: NEWS
Byline: By ROD ALLEN Times & Transcript Staff
Source:

The extended cold weather has slowed site preparation at the 33-acre Mapleton Power Centre project across from the Costco store in northwest Moncton but nearly the entire site is committed to future tenants.

Patrick Gillespie isn't yet prepared to say who any of those tenants are, but returned a call from Montreal yesterday where he said he was rounding out the project with the last few companies.

Gillespie is with Ashford Developments, which started grubbing out the hilly, rough terrain at the corner of Ammon Road and the Mapleton off-ramp from Wheeler Boulevard late last year.

Gillespie said at the time he expected to announce some tenants for the site - which he hints is ideal for the same style of 'big box' companies already settled at neighbouring Trinity Mall - early in the new year.

However, "this cold snap has delayed us a little," said Gillespie yesterday, "so we haven't been able to compact the soil as much as we want."

The problem with the site's uneven ground is being fixed mainly by removing material off the big hill and moving it over to the other side where it is being compacted.

The soil doesn't compact as well in extremely cold weather and the contractor will have to wait until conditions improve, said Gillespie.

"I think we're close," he added. "Once we have the soil work done we can get some firm construction start dates for our tenants and we're leaving it up to them to make their announcements.

Gillespie said he might be able to say more in a couple of weeks.

Further east, Champlain Place has yet to announce replacements for two big mainstays - Future Shop and Frank's Music - which pulled up stakes for Trinity last year.

Like Gillespie, Champlain Place manager Neil Mattson said he has new tenants lined up for those sites, as well as the site vacated by Don Cherry's restaurant, but he is leaving them to make any announcements.

Several other outlets in the mall are making renovations, including Cassis (a division of Montreal-based Reitman's clothing stores, Mexx, which is part of Liz Claiborne Canada based in Toronto and Ben Moss Jewelers, based in the United States.

Mattson referred inquiries to those companies, none of which were available for comment.

At least one other tenant of Champlain Place is still with the mall despite yesterday's announcement from U.S.-based Circuit City, which says it will close 62 of its 800 Canadian outlets. The Canadian stores are styled as 'The Source' and one is located at Champlain Place which, as of yesterday, is still in business. The Canadian stores' head office in Toronto was not available for comment.