RK Associates' 201,000 s/f RK Swansea Place holds grand reopening

According to RK Associates, RK Swansea Place recently held its grand re-opeing. The 201,000 s/f redevelopment project is anchored by Target and Marshalls and will also include Famous Footwear, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Sleepy's, Radio Shack, Weight Watchers, and Sally Beauty. The center is located on Rte. 6, east of Exit 3 off Rte. 195. Target's commitment to the project was the catalyst to the revitalization of the shopping center. In its previous life, the center was anchored by Kmart (later replaced by Building 19). After Building 19's closing in 2007, the center had suffered from a significant amount of vacancy. However, the direction of the center changed once Target was on board. The center was comprehensively renovated as part of the process. A significant amount of demolished space was replaced with new buildings, which resulted in 31,000 s/f of new retail space. Other improvements included a traffic signal with road widening, new parking field, pylon signs, landscaping, exterior lighting, and façade treatments for existing buildings. David Katz, senior vice president of RK Assoc., said, "The opening of RK Swansea Place is a significant milestone in the revitalization of the trade area. Our project team worked diligently to meet a very tight schedule and delivered a first class shopping center for the community." "Notwithstanding the challenges in the current economic environment, the project has been well received by the marketplace," said Kenneth Fries of RK Assoc. "The success of our redevelopment will not only attract additional national retailers to the market, but will also create value for other area businesses, property owners, and the town of Swansea."