Progress continues on retail center

By Shannonn Curley
Collegian Staff
September 27, 2006

Construction of a new retail center on campus is slated to begin by the end of the spring semester. Ground breaking was scheduled for this fall, but delays on the part of both the University and the developer prevented this from happening.

Construction is set to begin around the Good Shepherd Parking lot by the spring semester,
though specific retailers have not yet been announced. - Erin Brodbeck

Matt McManness, vice president of Business Affairs, said there is no conflict between the University and the developer, Moreland, and attributed the set-back to a need to iron out provisions in the lease agreement.

“[The lease agreement] spells out our rights and the rights of the developer. We wanted to make sure that we protected the University,” McManness said.

According to the agreement, the area being developed, which is half of Good Shepherd parking lot, will remain University property. The University will lease the property to Moreland, which is also in charge of marketing the area to retailers.

While at this stage it is not certain which retailers will eventually be in the center, “we do know the grocery store will be a Fresh Grocer,” McManness said.

Because the retail center is a private entity, it will be open to the public and students will not be able to use Gold Card dollars. However, according to McManness, it would be in the retailer’s best interest to essentially cater to students. Offering specials and sales to La Salle students would “be to [the retailer’s] advantage,” McManness said.

Freshman Gabe Guervieri says that having to use cash will not stop him from shopping at the retail center, especially, “if there is a convenience store that’s cheaper than the places on campus now.”

Others are not so eager to see the changes.

“I think it’s the stupidest thing in the world,” said James Tobin, citing the loss of the parking lot as one of the main reasons behind his objection.

Freshmen were not allowed to bring cars on campus for the first time this year because of the building plans.

Among other things, the retail center will bring the possibility of easy-access off campus jobs. Despite his reservations about the center, Tobin would not dismiss a job opportunity if “they pay more than minimum wage.”

“If there was a restaurant nearby, I would rather work there than on-campus because it would pay better,” said sophomore Amy Gottheart.

curleys1@lasalle.edu