Developer in Talks for Grocery Store at Academy Yard

The developer of the Academy Yard project on Telegraph Road is in late-stage negotiations to bring a grocery store to the site, along with as many as eight other retailers. 

Representatives from StonebridgeCarras said they hope to attract more than 100,000 square feet of retail, including a grocery store anchor, to the site once occupied by the former Nevamar facility. The grocer would comprise roughly 65,000 square feet. 

In addition, there would be 300 new apartments on the site, and a site plan also shows eight other retail pads, including two on the west side of Telegraph Road. 

Academy Yard is already home to the Flats170 apartment complex, which has 369 units to the north. 

StonebridgeCarras principal Ellen Miller said the company was talking with two grocers and hoped to finalize a deal quickly. 

"We are very, very close to bringing a grocery store here," Miller said. "We are literally at a point where we are negotiating for an anchor. We are very close to a deal."

Miller presented a site plan to the Odenton Town Center Plan Oversight Committee on Tuesday evening. The committee gave a vote of support for the plan. 

The site plan, which could still be revised, shows the grocery store toward the back of the site, with a large parking lot in front. There would also be space for gas pumps. 

A BGE substation would remain in place under the plan, but would be obstructed from view. A water tower on the site would also be preserved, Miller said. 

Residents of Odenton have been clamoring for a new grocer ever since the closure of the Superfresh in the Odenton Shopping Center in 2011. 

Miller said grocers indicated to her that the former Superfresh space was not large enough. 

A recent study of retail demand in Odenton showed that the town could support three more grocers. Currently, Odenton is home to the Food Lion in Piney Orchard and the Weis Market near Seven Oaks.