Demolition, Rebuild Planned for Perry Hall Shopping Center

First built in 1956, one of Perry Hall's oldest shopping centers will soon be completely demolished. 

Property owner John Mazarakis plans to build a new shopping center in its place at 8833 Belair Rd. He also plans to bring back at least one former tenant, Seasons Pizza, according to an announcement released by County Councilman David Marks on Thursday. 

The 13,240-square-foot shopping center, located north of Blakeley Avenue across from the closed Butt's Hardware, is included in Perry Hall's commercial revitalization district.

In recent years, tenants have either moved or closed.

• Seasons Pizza, part of a regional chain, closed. 
• Michael Anthony Design Center closed. 
• Maryland Performance moved to 9718 Pulaski Highway in White Marsh. 
• Fluf-N-Fold moved to 9644 Belair Rd. in Perry Hall. 

Only Manila Seafood & Market remains open at the center. A worker told Patch that the owner is negotiating his contract and has no plans to close the market, even if he is forced to relocate. 

Seasons Pizza, however, already has reserved space at the planned shopping center, expected to be constructed in 2013. The restaurant will occupy most of a new two-story brick building, including 12,410 square feet of retail space, Marks announced. 

Mazarakis and Seasons Pizza management were not immediately available for comment on the new shopping center.

"I have met with Mr. Mazarakis and believe his building meets many of the criteria we would want in the Perry Hall commercial revitalization district," Marks stated in a release. "Most importantly, this project cleans up a large stretch of Belair Road and will hopefully anchor new businesses in the area."

Perry Hall's commercial revitalization district is a zone designated by Marks and other public officials for economic assistance. 

Approved in May 2011, the zone extends along Belair Road, from Blakeley Avenue in the south to Minte Drive in the north. It also includes Joppa Road, between Seven Courts Drive and Belair Road, as well as Ebenezer Road, from Belair Road to Yvonne Avenue.

Businesses in the zone are eligible for special financing, free design services and other forms of county assistance.

New structures in the zone are also subject to Baltimore County Design Review Panel standards—in line with legislation approved by the County Council in early August.

The new shopping center at 8833 Belair Rd., however, will not need to go through the Baltimore County Design Review Panel process because its development plan was submitted before the August legislation, according to Marks.