Garden City Revamp Gets Planning Commission OK

's operators got the OK from the city's Planning Commission to build a new 20,000-square foot building and reconfigure the shopping center's gazebo area in a unanimous vote last night.

The commission was given a favorable recommendation by city planners who said the plan would integrate into the surrounding area well and "reflect its existing characteristics," according to a memo.

“We are now able to move full-steam ahead in our plans to redevelop Garden City Center into a next generation outdoor shopping destination,” said Thomas V. Wilder, principal of The Wilder Companies. “Retailers and shoppers alike are excited and urging us to move as quickly as possible. We anticipate selecting a general contractor by mid-March, and plan to break ground for this new building in early spring.”

The redevelopment plan is the first step in a three-phase major makeover of the southern half of the shopping center that will unify and extend the successful "village" portion into the largely vacant area now home to Office Max, and .

The gazebo area which now acts as a barrier between the shopping center's two halves will be redesigned to blend them together. The new building will sit adjacent to the restaurant and will house retail shops.

The plan was approved by the Cranston Site Plan Review Committee on Jan. 18.

The second phase of the redevelopment will convert the nearby large vacant retail spaces that once were home to Circuit City, Borders and Burlington Coat Factory into small- to mid-sized retail units similar to the more successful portion of the shopping center.

Meanwhile, things continue to change in Garden City Center as a whole. The newly-remodled Hallmark is set to open on Feb. 4. Ann Taylor and Edible Arrangements are still under construction. Clogs by Alexander is moving from the "Commons" area to the village. And construction of a newly-expanded Williams Sonoma is set to begin in March.