By Lauren Young
Staff Writer
A $21 million development project has been proposed that would fill an entire block on Fayette Street in the heart of the village of Manlius.
The proposed 105,795-square-foot complex — named Willowbrook Crossing — will lie on six acres of land in the village, stretching from the CVS pharmacy to the opposite side of the Bank of America building. It is projected to be three times the size of Madison Row, located across the street.
The proposed multi-use development will include a full-service, 2,000-square-foot bank with a drive-thru, almost 19,000 square feet of seven retail stores on the ground floor and about 18,000 square feet of business offices on the second floor.
It will also feature 22 luxury apartments — over 30,000 square feet — as well as an enclosed parking garage for 40 cars and on-site parking for 33 cars.
The development has additionally proposed two restaurants with a full-service casual restaurant/bar and a coffee shop with a drive-thru.
The project will also include a nature trail, gazebo and a small park along a nearby creek leading to a fish hatchery.
A total of about 300 parking spaces is proposed for the entire project.
The project’s developer, RHS Holdings LLC, previously constructed the Marriott Courtyard in Armory Square and renovated its headquarters. Schopfer Architects LLP, who have previously designed The Craftsman House in Fayetteville and the Bellevue Country Club in Syracuse, will oversee the architectural development.
The two unoccupied single-family homes on the north end of the property will be demolished, as well as two one-story buildings and New Dimensions, a wholesale distribution business that opened in 2010.
The developer is currently seeking a zone change to Planned Unit Development (PUD) for the space. The area is currently zoned C-Commercial.
The developer has additionally conducted two traffic studies and have presented them to the NYS Department of Transportation. The studies indicate that any traffic increase resulting from the development can be supported by the existing village highway system and traffic controls.
NYSDOT has indicated agreement with the report findings.
If approvals are granted, the project will begin construction in early spring.
The village board will review the proposed project and decide whether or not to schedule a public hearing on the zone change at their next meeting on Jan. 9.
