CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND – Bowie’s “Main Street” corridor (Route 450/Annapolis Road) has experienced its share of upgrades in recent years – including a significant redevelopment of the former Free State Mall and extensive improvements to the infrastructure – but more are on the horizon, thanks to shopping center leasing, management, and development company JBG Rosenfeld Retail (JBGR).  The Chevy Chase-based company, which owns the Bowie Marketplace property in the heart of the Main Street corridor, presented redevelopment plans to the Bowie City Council on Monday, detailing its vision for a mixed-use retail and residential development to replace the largely vacant and obsolete retail center it acquired in May 2006.

JBGR’s plans call for the demolition of nearly all of the existing 240,000 square-foot center, to make way for a total of 185,000 square feet of newly constructed retail and office space fronting Annapolis Road – some of which will be situated in two-story structures – which will be branded “Main Street Market.”  In addition, the new center will incorporate a number of pedestrian friendly amenities, including wide sidewalks for outdoor seating areas, water features, and improved landscaping and green space.  As part of its commitment to sustainable practices, JBGR plans to pursue LEED certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) for the retail redevelopment of the property.

Though JBGR expects to attract a number of new tenants to the property, the company is working on deals with current tenants Safeway and Rite Aid to anchor Main Street Market with new, prototype stores, and is in discussions with other existing tenants to remain at the property.  The redevelopment efforts will be divided into two phases: the first to feature the retail portion of the project, while the second will focus primarily on the addition of a residential component on the back third of the property.  The company plans to commence the retail phase in 2009, with expected delivery in 2010.  At that time, JBGR will pursue the necessary rezoning and approvals for the residential component, a process that could take as long as long as three years.

 “The redevelopment of Bowie Marketplace will result in a complete transformation of the center from its current state, while fulfilling the planning goals set forth for this site in the city’s master plan,” said JBGR Vice President Carter Davis.  “Our intention is to create an attractive and inviting environment that combines everyday retail conveniences with unique details and elements that will make our ‘Main Street Market’ a true destination for the residents of Bowie and beyond.  We are confident that our redevelopment efforts here will have even more of an impact on this market than those at Free State.”   JBGR owned Free State Shopping Center from 1997 until February 2007 and, during that time, completed a $23 million renovation that resulted in a new, 74,000 square-foot Giant Food, as well as the addition of numerous nationally-recognized junior anchor tenants.

Located at Annapolis Road and Superior Lane, the Bowie Marketplace property currently features a 239,000 square-foot shopping center incorporating inline retail, mini-mall, and pad site space.  The center is anchored by a 43,000 square-foot Safeway, and also features a 14,000 square-foot Rite Aid Pharmacy, a Long and Foster Real Estate office, Glory Days Grill, Dry Clean Depot, Chaney Tire and Auto, and a handful of smaller, locally owned and operated retailers.

Based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, JBG Rosenfeld Retail specializes in the leasing, development, acquisition, construction, and management of retail properties throughout the mid-Atlantic region.  Currently, JBGR holds more than 30 shopping centers, nine freestanding store sites, and numerous mixed-use retail sites in its portfolio.  For more information on the full scope of the company’s services, call (301) 657-0700, or visit www.jbgr.com.