Boom time in the Kennebecasis
Published Monday January 5th, 2009
Development Hampton Road is so busy it's beginning to rival Rothesay Avenue as the area's number one commercial strip
QUISPAMSIS - Hampton Road is turning into the Kennebecasis Valley's version of Rothesay Avenue.
The main artery through both Rothesay and Quispamsis has seen several new businesses open their doors during the past year.
"We've had a fair amount of commercial development and most will be opening in 2009," said Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop, whose town gained the most new businesses on the strip.
The new outlets along Hampton Road in Rothesay include The Window Shop Home Improvement Centre and Design by Valley Dream Kitchens located next to the double drive-through Tim Hortons. The businesses - owned by Dave Long - are housed in the same building.
Oakville Lane was a busy spot in 2008 with a new dentists' office opening on the corner of Oakville and Hampton roads. The office of doctors Ron Buckley, Janet Bailey and Aaron Tait is located across from the Sobeys Plaza.
A new country-style market also began operating on the main drag. The Brookside Market, distinguishable by its log home look, opened next to McPhee's Bakery.
The final major development is on the north corner of Clark and Hampton roads. Developer Phil Broderson is putting the finishing touches on a new building. The commercial space is about 13,000 square feet.
"It's just a matter of finishing things up and getting tenants in there," Bishop said.
As for the Quispamsis side, RBC Royal Bank opened a branch at the corner of Hampton and Pettingill roads with an A&W restaurant built behind it. Quispamsis development officer Gary Losier said there's still room for new commercial growth along Hampton Road.
"We've got land that was pre-zoned commercial along Hampton Road and it goes from the Peat Drive intersection down to Donlyn Drive," Losier said. "Basically the area from the TD (Bank) mall to the old vacant park area."
A parcel of land beside the old park has already been sold and will be developed into a new dentist's office.
While some land remains on both sides of the Hampton Road, it appears the prime commercial space in 2009 will be on Millennium Drive.
"Only about half of it has been developed right now, so there's plenty of land up there," Losier said.
Quispamsis mayor Murray Driscoll said once the Parkland in the Valley nursing home and retirement community being developed by Shannex New Brunswick Inc. comes online, it should spur on development around it. Driscoll had previously said he'd like to see a Wal-Mart in Quispamsis, and Millennium Drive would be a logical location. Driscoll said he's not been approached or had discussions with the retail giant, but said the town is open to the possibility.
As for the Rothesay portion of Millennium Drive, Bishop said changes to the municipal plan could make the area more attractive.
"Early in the New Year we'll be presenting our revisions to the municipal plan. In that will be some changes to the Millennium Drive area that may make it more friendly to commercial development."
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