Mayor Ted Gatsas and local developers Dick Anagnost and Reggie Ronzello revealed plans for the development of the Rockwell property at 460 Elm St.; the site will soon be home to Market Basket owned and operated by the DeMoulas family. "It gives me great pleasure to make this announcement. For those of us that remember Ferretti's you know how central a supermarket is to a thriving downtown Manchester. This project will, without a doubt, revitalize South Elm St. and downtown," said Gatsas.
"Market Basket has committed to this project provided all local and state permits are acquired. When Dick and I reviewed the sites available for this type of development the Rockwell site stood out. The 10 acre parcel has the potential to build up to a 100,000 s/f facility with adequate parking to serve the Market Basket customers. I am looking forward to seeing this project through with Dick and the mayor to continue this decade long revitalization of the downtown," said Ronzello.
Anagnost is developing the River's Edge site (formerly Jac Pac) which will include an Urgent Care Center and office space for Elliot Hospital also located in the South Elm area. Anagnost has plans underway to begin the permitting process.
The Comprehensive Economic Development Study approved by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen (Item A) clearly outlines the need for a supermarket as key to downtown development and dovetails with the proposed Master Plan (Item B).
"Depending on the size of the store this can mean up to 500 new jobs ranging from fulltime management positions to part-time jobs for our seniors and students. I believe this is a moment in time when we will look back and say this was a turning point for downtown and the city of Manchester," said Gatsas.