What drivers along Ring Road now see as a grassy area of several acres next to the Kentucky Career Center-Lincoln Trail will be transformed by late 2020 into what is expected to be a thriving business development.
A 30,600-square-foot building development plan has been approved for the 3.79-acre site by the Elizabethtown Planning Commission at the intersection of Peterson Drive and Ring Road near Akebono.
Chris Bingaman, director of real estate development for Robbins Enterprises of Elizabethtown, said the development includes two buildings with a courtyard/dining area between them. It will offer “a total mix” of restaurants, retail and office space, he said.
The plan is to have the location open within a year. A groundbreaking was held Thursday afternoon, Bingaman said.
According to a development plan that unanimously passed earlier this month, a small restaurant is shown on the north end of the north building with a drive-thru. The rest of the space in the two buildings is shown as offices, but the zoning approval by the five-member commission would also allow for retail.
Bingaman said two restaurants already have committed to the development — Barry’s Cheesesteaks and More and Gulf Coast Connection Seafood Market, which now operates from a former Dairy Queen at 321 S. Mulberry St. across from Pritchard Community Center.
He also said he has been in talks with a regional coffee brand.
“One whole side will be a food court,” he said.
How many businesses will be in the development solely is based on what tenants it attracts, he said.
“It all depends on the client and what the tenant wants,” he said.
Barry’s Cheesesteaks and More is a Christian-owned business featuring multiple varieties of cheesesteaks as well as fries, hamburgers and hot dogs, according to its website.
Gulf Coast Connections features fresh seafood and offers boiled and fried plates among its items.
The exterior of the buildings in the development will be a mixture of brick and stone in earth-tone colors, according to the development plan. There will be one entrance off Ring Road with a turn lane plus an entrance off Peterson Drive.
Jeff D’Alessio can be reached at 270-505-1757 or jdalessio@thenewsenterprise.com.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.
Terms of Use. The complete terms of use policy can be found at the bottom of this page.