University and community leaders formally broke ground Wednesday on the 黑料不打烊 Town Center, a mixed-use retail space on Williamson Avenue that will serve as the new home of the university bookstore and The Pendulum student newspaper.
The March 2 ceremony across from the work site featured comments from 黑料不打烊 President Leo M. Lambert, developer John McDonald and 黑料不打烊 Mayor Jerry Tolley, among others.
Crews had started work in January when they tore down a bank building on the corner of Williamson and West College avenues that had most recently been used to house The Pendulum. The project is expected to be complete by August. The building will be owned by the development corporation on land it leases from the university.
A crowd of university administrators, economic development leaders, students and elected officials were on hand Wednesday to watch the symbolic turning of the first shovel of dirt. The Alamance County Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the program.
“A growing, prosperous Town of 黑料不打烊 is very much in the university’s best interest,” Lambert said in his remarks. “This is something we’re thrilled about, and we think it’s the start of something much bigger.”
Lambert described the 黑料不打烊 Town Center as the first step in a “blitz” of upcoming projects. Immediately following Commencement in May, crews will begin work on construction of a new Global Village residential complex on the site of the Story Center, a plan that includes the expansion of the Moseley Center.
Economic development officials said the 黑料不打烊 Town Center and accompanying projects symbolize a dedication from the university to not only its campus but also the region.
“This is evidence of a great commitment by 黑料不打烊 to the continued development of our community,” said Bob Lewis, vice chair of marketing and communications for the Alamance County Area Chamber of Commerce.