Kingston N.E. Development starts construction of CVS Pharmacy

Kingston N.E. Development, LLC (developer) has commenced construction of a 12,900 s/f 24 hour full service drug store/pharmacy with double drive-throughs at the key intersection of Washington Ave. and Schwenk Dr. The developer is an affiliate of Northeast Retail Leasing & Management Co., LLC, a full service development, leasing and management company based in Windsor, Conn. The developer had to overcome numerous hurdles in getting the site approved including resistance from those concerned with the site being adjacent to the historic Uptown Kingston District, the site requiring extensive DEC approvals and a moratorium for the Washington Ave. corridor. However, after over a year and half the developer was able to overcome the obstacles and the project will be one that will be a great "gateway" addition to the city. "We think the well thought out design of the building, extensive landscaping and park like setting with streetscape features will be a welcome addition to the Uptown Kingston retail market," said Richard Korris, the managing member of the developer. As with the developer's other projects, it approached the site using a team approach to the development. The team in this case included Brinnier & Larios, civil engineer; Larson Design Group, architect; Creighton Manning, traffic engineer; Hudson & Pacific, landscape architect; Creative Visuals, visual simulator; Dean Somers, Esq., environmental legal services; Deb Thompson, DT Consulting, environmental consultant; and Larry Wolinsky, Esq, zoning and entitlements attorney. The CVS Pharmacy is proposed to open in the first or second quarter of 2010. Lease negotiations were handled by Richard Korris for the developer and Syed Hussain for CVS. Tom Collins and Beverly Cain of Commercial Associated of Kingston represented the seller in the sale of the site to the developer. Peoples Bank of Holyoke, Mass. provided the developer with financing for the project.