GAINESVILLE - McKibbon-Robison, a local developer and owner of Riverbrook Village on Thompson Bridge Road, is beginning infrastructure improvements to the North Hall site.<br />
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The enhancements primarily are in response to positive signs in the recovering economy, according to McKibbon-Robison principal Steve McKibbon. The developer is positioning the property for future commercial and residential development after weathering the recent real estate downturn, national recession and court challenges to the project from some nearby residents. <br />
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On the residential side, the developer received approval in early 2013 for a gated apartment community with 220 residences. (See earlier story. Link below.) McKibbon says the apartments will significantly raise the bar for quality construction in North Hall and the rest of the county. <br />
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As for Riverbrook's commercial section, McKibbon is hopeful that an anchor tenant will be signed on soon, although no firm commitments have been made to this point. McKibbon-Robison will be installing the entrances on Price and Thompson Bridge roads over the next few months. On one of Riverbrook's outparcels at Price Road and Thompson Bridge Road, a CVS Pharmacy already has been in operation since 2007.<br />
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"We have received a lot more commercial interest about Riverbrook in the past several months," McKibbon said, "which seems to indicate that our local economy is definitely heading in the right direction."<br />
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The initial prep work for the site represents an investment totaling over $1 million. Once completed, grading and additional infrastructure will be installed for the residential component.<br />
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