Germantown delays $90 million development on Poplar by Michelle Corbet
Competing interests for a Poplar Avenue traffic signal have delayed the final approval of a $90 million mixed-use development in Germantown.
The Germantown Planning Commission was scheduled to vote on final approval of Gill Properties’ plans for TraVure, a development that will include a pair of Hilton hotel brands, a covered parking garage, restaurants, retail outlets and a five story-office building, at a meeting Tuesday, Nov. 3.
However, the planning commission moved to delay final approval after Robert Fogelman of Fogelman Investment Co. presented plans this week to move a traffic signal proposed for TraVure in front of his Westminster Townhomes development.
“We’re terribly disappointed,” said Ray Gill, founder and principal of Gill Properties.
Gill says Fogelman called in at the 11th hour after plans for TraVure Avenue, a road connecting Poplar Avenue and Kirby Parkway, were set for final approval.
Gill Properties has spent several-hundred-thousand dollars studying traffic patterns and creating a plan for TraVure Avenue, Gill said.
Gill and the Desai Hotel Group have had plans for TraVure in the City of Germantown’s planning process for more than two years.
Gill said it makes more sense to have a connector street that serves more commercial properties rather than a shorter street that serves fewer. Gill Properties agreed to pay for the construction of the connector street and traffic signal years ago.
The infrastructure construction can begin when Gill Properties receives a certificate of occupancy for the hotel or office building, whichever comes first, Gill said.
Robert Fogelman and the City of Germantown planning department could not be immediately reached for comment.