Update 4/16/20 – Adams Property Group began converting the former Farm Fresh store to self-storage in January. The interior work for Merrimac Trail Self-Storage required a “lot of demolition,” according to Coupland. “We are expecting, coronavirus willing, to begin site work outside in the parking lot next week.”
The $6 million self-storage project received approval in August after Adams submitted a new site plan. The single-story buildings for the parking area will have decorative brick façades to create separation from the existing retail stores. There will also be a brick fence on the side of the property facing Merrimac Trail.
About 17,092 square feet of the shopping center will continue as retail. Adams also plans to build a 12,289-square-foot, pad-ready parcel “to attract a user with the hope of bringing new energy to the retail portion of the property,” Coupland said.
11/13/17 – The York County Planning Commission voted 5-2 last week to recommend that Adams Property Group receive the special-use permit it needs to move forward with its self-storage conversion. If the project is approved by the board of supervisors, the developer intends to transform the structure into 93,000 square feet of climate-controlled storage space, according to the source.
Adams plans to leave the exterior of the store mostly unchanged, except for the addition of new signage, company representative Jack Coupland told the commission. New fencing with gated, keypad access will be erected at the side of the building. In addition, the applicant’s statement of intent indicates the parking lot in front of the facility could eventually be developed into additional retail establishments facing Merrimac Trail, the source reported. Existing shops, including a Domino’s Pizza and laundromat, will remain open and receive minor exterior upgrades.
Though county staff indicated the $6 million self-storage project isn’t the ideal use for the building, it also cautioned against leaving it vacant.
“Considering the circumstances, we have someone willing to make an investment in the property and to work with the existing retailers,” commissioner Michael King said. “I think this is probably one of the best outcomes we could hope for.”
No date was given on when the board of supervisors is expected to vote on the permit.
10/31/17 – Adams Property Group LLC, which operates eight facilities in South Carolina, is seeking to convert a Farm Fresh grocery store in Williamsburg, Va., that closed earlier this month to self-storage. The York County Planning Commission will vote on Nov. 8 whether to recommend the proposal to the board of supervisors, according to the source.
The 7.34-acre property at 455 Merrimac Trail is in the Shoppes at Merrimac Center near State Route 143. The plans include transforming the 63,000-square-foot building into interior climate-controlled space. An additional 30,000 square feet of storage would be added via a mezzanine level, the source stated. The site would feature a keypad-controlled gate and perimeter fencing, with the entrance on the side of the building.
The exterior of the remaining retails shops in the center would also receive minor upgrades. A gas station on the property would be demolished to make room for parking. In its proposal, Adams also indicated the Farm Fresh parking lot could be used for future retail shops, the source stated.
Based in South Carolina, Adams operates seven Monster Self Storage facilities and one B&H Self Storage in the state. The real estate investment firm also develops, manages and owns multi-tenant retail shopping centers in Georgia and South Carolina.
Sources:
Williamsburg Yorktown Daily: Shuttered Farm Fresh Could Become Self Storage Facility
Williamsburg Yorktown Daily: Proposed Self-Storage Facility in Former Farm Fresh Gets Planning Commission Approval
Daily Press, Self-Storage Facility at Former Farm Fresh Site Waiting to Take Shape
