White City Improvements Moving Along

In an attempt to gear up for the upcoming national rowing chamionship, White City Plaza construction is moving forward at full speed.

On Saturday, Aug. 11, the Plaza will come together with radio personality Heidi West of WSRS to showcase the new and improved shops offered along the store front and combine with festivities of the National Rowing Championship, said Denise Roshco, a representative from the property landlord, Charter Realty and Development.

Throughout the weekend, many of the businesses will participate with various promotions, sidewalk sales and samples, Roshco said.

Both Charter Realty and the town have been “really gearing up for the US National Rowing Championship,” said Kristan Las, principal planner and economic development coordinator for Shrewsbury.

“The new look features clapboard facades with natural colors, new store signage, decorative trim, arches and columns, and muzak systems for the added joy of our shoppers,” Roshco wrote in an email to Patch, adding that developments include pathways to link buildings, better parking and lighting and music to set the ambiance of the space.

Old tenants of the property are getting a facelift for the building and, in addition, many new tenants are being brought in, Roshco said. Some newer businesses include 5 Guys Burger and Fries, Jimmy’s Tavern and Grill, Great Clips, GNC and ICraze Frozen Yogurt, she said, adding that Charter Realty has “a very keen insight into what would fit there.”

Not all of the vacancies have been filled, however, according to Roshco. Negotiations are always in progress with other tenants, she said, at least one of which is a new restaurant.

In addition to the new tenants, Charter Realty in continuing to improve the faces of the established businesses of the plaza, Roshco said, including some minor changes and some larger refurbishments of tenants such as Sovereign Bank, the Paper Store and Dress Barn.

Las said her office has been in constant contact with the developers, calling the developments “an excellent master plan.” Residents have constantly been asking the planner’s office asking about the length of the project, Las said, adding that the whole project “has been a very cooperative effort.”