It is a 160-acre site that will end up having 67 acres of land that can be developed. Of that total, 17 acres is set aside for the anchor that will make all of that happen – Menards.

 

Menards is the centerpiece for the development known as Charles Pointe Crossing. The bulk of the earthwork and the roadway to access the next massive commercial development has been done for some time, but news on it has been in short supply.

 

A little more than a month ago, on Nov. 2, that changed. Officials were in front of a city body to get an extension on a sign variance. While it may have seemed trivial, the 40-foot sign variance was the first public activity in a while regarding the delayed Menards project that officials say was set back due to COVID-19.

 

With the variance extension granted, it appears as if Menards will get started in 2022. Although that is the plan, officials typically keep mum about things until an official lease is signed and a building permit is acquired.

 

Rob Stuart, the director of planning and engineering for Genesis Partners, the group overseeing the development of Charles Pointe, knows there is something else to keep mum about for the same reason. And that are potential tenants to go alongside Menards as well as the other acres that make up the massive development.

 

“The interest is substantial,” said Stuart, who indicated during this discussion the day of the city meeting that it is standard practice he could not talk about who is interested due to ongoing negotiations. “There is a lot of property there and Menards tends to draw plenty of surrounding businesses.”

 

If that is the case, there should be plenty of room. Stuart said Genesis Partners has been working on marketing the initial 25 acres of the site that is just off or State Route 279, or the entrance to the Menards location.

 

“We also have 25 acres on the other side,” said Stuart. “There are a lot of options.”

 

For those who may have missed the early November story on the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting where the sign variance was discussed, here is what Stuart said regarding Menards’ status that day.

 

“Every indication they’ve given us is to start early next year. They’ve been under COVID restrictions and haven’t built anything new since COVID started since their Morgantown location. They’ve put a halt on new construction,” Stuart said. “They told us they have 15 stores in que and we’re at the top of the list for new construction. We’re positive about it.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Rob Stuart looking over drawings for Charles Pointe Crossing, while the second and third photo taken last year show work being done on the first 25 acres (with United Hospital Center in the background) and work being done on what is now a paved and smooth entrance to the site.