Marvin in talks for first commercial development; Publix proposed

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MARVIN – Village officials are in preliminary talks with Regency Centers that could result in the village’s first commercial development – which, if it goes forward, likely would include a Publix grocery store.

For about two hours at its meeting Tuesday, the town Council heard design plans, asked questions, and offered opinions on what they want to see in the proposed project.

Regency, based in Jacksonville, Fla., develops, owns and operates commercial properties and has been involved with Phillips Place, Carmel Commons, Cochran Commons and Providence Commons, according to its website. The company did not respond to an email regarding its plans and operations.

Preliminary plans call for a grocery store, seven retail outparcels and 35 town homes on 48 acres at Providence and New Town roads. Saussy Burbank would be the builder of the age-targeted town homes, which would cost around $400,000 and be built on 15.5 acres behind the retail.

“When we looked at this, we said, ‘How much can we build that will thrive and be successful all the time, given the constraints that are here?’” said Chris Widmeyer, a Regency vice president of investments in the company’s Raleigh office, referring to the lower density development prevalent in Marvin and nearby Weddington. He said their conclusion was “smaller-scale, neighborhood-oriented retail.”

Some of the property was bought by Lat Purser & Associates in 2011, which planned to build a project called NewTowne Gardens. The name of the proposed development is Marvin Gardens.

The community’s agrarian and equestrian character would be incorporated into the design.