Greenspace Retail Development In Whakatane

Media Release
10 September 2004

STRONG INTEREST IN GREENSPACE RETAIL DEVELOPMENT IN WHAKATANE

Planning is well underway for a new 25,000 square metre large format retail development to service the growing needs of the Whakatane community.

Later this month Kohi Commercial Developments Ltd will lodge a resource consent that will enable the company and its architects and consultants, Retail Consulting Group (RCG), to proceed with one of the most exciting retail developments ever planned for the district.

The development to be called ‘The Gateway Centre’ will be located on the corner of Keepa Road and State Highway 30 and will help service family needs for primary household goods such as household appliances, groceries and food, hardware parallel, furniture and homewares.

“This development will help provide Whakatane with the kind of modern, competitive retail infrastructure that is generally now available to most provincial centres in New Zealand,” said John Long, a Director of RCG.

“Together, Kohi Commercial Developments Ltd and RCG have undertaken a good deal of research into the retail needs of the local community as well as looking at the most appropriate sites for further development.

“The site chosen is an ideal location for large format retailing with excellent exposure to a major arterial road, excellent sight lines, good vehicle access and most appropriately is a corner site”.

He said The Kohi Commercial Developments Team had a long history of successful commercial developments and that RCG had developed its expertise as retail and urban planners through numerous projects throughout the country. The size of the development was very carefully engineered to meet current and future needs so that a proliferation of similar developments could be avoided.

“We take great pride in designing retail developments that not only meet local community needs but that are also environmentally suitable to the sites available,” he added.

Preliminary discussions with prospective retailers had signalled keen interest in the development, which was consistent with the demand indicators for retail space in the district.

Kohi Developments has also been pleased with the positive feedback it has received from consultation with a number of interested parties.

ENDS

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