Newport Daily News article-Middletown Plaza 12/13/06

Newport Daily News online 12.13.06

By Matt Sheley/Daily News staff

Brian A. Bucci, the managing partner of the West Main Road shopping center, said the proposal would complete renovations to the complex, but does not include work at its anchor store, the Home Depot.

The project would square off the other existing building - home to several shops and a couple of vacant storefronts - and include upgrades to the loading docks to the north side of that structure, according to paperwork filed in Town Hall.

The proposal is on the Planning Board agenda for tonight's meeting at 6:30 in Town Hall. Bucci said he would like to see construction start next summer.

"A couple years ago, we said it was our goal to turn Ames Plaza into a first-class shopping center," Bucci said. "We've done a lot in the last year and a half and quite a bit of landscaping and flowers and this continues that effort. I think people forget, but if you took a picture of the place six years ago and look at it today, you'd be hard pressed to say you're not better off today."

In July 2002, the town's Zoning Board of Review approved plans to completely overhaul the facility at 878 West Main Road, with Home Depot replacing Ames as the major tenant.

Since then, the shopping center that lists a Staples office-supply store, Sherman-Williams paint shop and Dollar Tree among its tenants has been the subject of other projects, most notably the replacement of the once crater-like parking lot.

Work continues to remake the Holiday Cinema next door, a proposal to turn the aging movie theater into a modern cinema.

Barry Sullivan, who lives behind Middletown Plaza, said he wishes the shopping plaza was a little more responsive to concerns from neighbors.

"I think if you talk to anyone here, all you'll hear is complaints," said Smith, a Casey Drive resident. "They have diesel trucks running all night and they keep you up at night. It hasn't been good."

Bucci said Middletown Plaza tries to correct any problems between homeowners and the tenants of the shopping center.

"Any neighbor who's having a problem, they need to bring it to my attention," Bucci said. "I'll bring it to the manager of the store or the regional manager and we'll rectify it. My experience is the tenants don't realize they're doing something that's offending someone until it's brought to their attention."

Town Planner Ronald M. Wolanski said he expects the Planning Board will forward the project to subcommittee for review. In order for the project to move forward, it needs the approval of the Zoning Board of Review.


	Middletown shopping center plans renovations Newport Daily News online 12.13.06 By Matt Sheley/Daily News staff More improvements are planned for Middletown Plaza. Brian A. Bucci, the managing partner of the West Main Road shopping center, said the proposal would complete renovations to the complex, but does not include work at its anchor store, the Home Depot. The project would square off the other existing building - home to several shops and a couple of vacant storefronts - and include upgrades to the loading docks to the north side of that structure, according to paperwork filed in Town Hall. The proposal is on the Planning Board agenda for tonight's meeting at 6:30 in Town Hall. Bucci said he would like to see construction start next summer. "A couple years ago, we said it was our goal to turn Ames Plaza into a first-class shopping center," Bucci said. "We've done a lot in the last year and a half and quite a bit of landscaping and flowers and this continues that effort. I think people forget, but if you took a picture of the place six years ago and look at it today, you'd be hard pressed to say you're not better off today." In July 2002, the town's Zoning Board of Review approved plans to completely overhaul the facility at 878 West Main Road, with Home Depot replacing Ames as the major tenant. Since then, the shopping center that lists a Staples office-supply store, Sherman-Williams paint shop and Dollar Tree among its tenants has been the subject of other projects, most notably the replacement of the once crater-like parking lot. Work continues to remake the Holiday Cinema next door, a proposal to turn the aging movie theater into a modern cinema. Barry Sullivan, who lives behind Middletown Plaza, said he wishes the shopping plaza was a little more responsive to concerns from neighbors. "I think if you talk to anyone here, all you'll hear is complaints," said Smith, a Casey Drive resident. "They have diesel trucks running all night and they keep you up at night. It hasn't been good." Bucci said Middletown Plaza tries to correct any problems between homeowners and the tenants of the shopping center. "Any neighbor who's having a problem, they need to bring it to my attention," Bucci said. "I'll bring it to the manager of the store or the regional manager and we'll rectify it. My experience is the tenants don't realize they're doing something that's offending someone until it's brought to their attention." Town Planner Ronald M. Wolanski said he expects the Planning Board will forward the project to subcommittee for review. In order for the project to move forward, it needs the approval of the Zoning Board of Review.