On Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, Scannell Properties, an international commercial real estate developer, and Roers Companies, a national multifamily real estate company, came together with officials from the City of Plymouth and others for a ceremonial groundbreaking of The Boulevard.
Representatives shared remarks during the event emphasizing the impact of the future amenities planned for the 75-acre site. Formerly home to a 450,000-square-foot Prudential office building, the campus situated at the corner of Interstate 494 and Bass Lake Road was leveled this summer as crews made way for a phased mixed-use redevelopment.
A Vision for Community-Centric Amenities
“The concept was really developing a city within a city,” said Plymouth Mayor Jeff Wosje during the event. “And that’s what this is. It’s about offering amenities for the community to work, live and play.”
Participants expressed excitement about the vision for The Boulevard, so named to reflect its intended position as a hub to connect people in the neighborhood and attract visitors to Plymouth’s northern border.
Construction Timeline and Early Developments
Construction activity will continue on the site through 2027, the developers say. Site grading and utility infrastructure work are now underway, as is construction for a Summit Orthopedics clinic that recently broke ground. Developers expect the Coborn’s grocery store and some of the retail buildings along Bass Lake Road to break ground soon.
“This is going to be a vibrant new destination for the community,” said Dan Salzer, director of development for Scannell Properties. “We’re excited to have reached this milestone where the site is beginning to transform. We’ve had a ton of interest from prospective tenants for the business campus and retail buildings, and we look forward to adding strong businesses at The Boulevard to enhance the neighborhood.”
Beyond the retail and medical office elements, the site’s plans include approximately 800 apartment units within The Boulevard, including a mix of standard market-rate apartments and mixed-income rentals. Construction on the first multifamily property will begin in 2025.
“The Boulevard gives suburban renters a rare opportunity to live, work, socialize, and enjoy outdoor recreation just outside their doorstep,” said Kent Roers, co-founder and co-owner of Roers Companies.
Public Parks and Local Impact
The Boulevard will include more than just commercial and residential buildings. The City of Plymouth is designing public park space and walking trails surrounding the property’s wetland area at the center of the site.
“There’s going to be a 13-acre park, and the vision is that we’ll have a couple of restaurants right on top of the water,” Mayor Wosje noted. “It’s going to be designed so there’s a lot of walking paths in there. People surrounding this community will be able to walk and enjoy the restaurants.”
Roers also emphasized the impact of the site on the surrounding community.
“It’s rare to have a parcel this size come available within the I-494 loop. Our company headquarters is just down the road in Plymouth, so we couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to make this investment and build in our backyard. We’re excited to transform this previously underutilized site into a hub for the community,” Roers said.
Follow the progress of this development at www.theboulevardplymouth.com and find event photos here.