Development near Central Library pending

For those who have been wondering, it’s “hurry up and wait” for the Myers Retail site.

The site at 9601 Lori Road across from the Central Library has had some activity, but mainly just some tree clearing, according to Ben Myers of the Myers Family Partnership.

Only 3.38 acres of the 30-acre site are to be disturbed, he said, noting that a 4,585-square-foot, two-story building is planned. In the mix is a retail business, office space and a restaurant, although Myers noted that no contracts have been signed.

The development is pretty much on hold until the county widens Route 10 in front of the business from two to three lanes, he said.

Chesterfield’s transportation director, Jesse Smith, said the widening will run for about 1.5 miles from Whitepine Road to Frith Lane on westbound Route 10 and for 1 mile from Whitepine to Courthouse roads on eastbound Route 10. The project, which is in the engineering phase, is estimated to cost $15.2 million. Depending on funding, construction could start as early as 2020, with completion in late 2021.

The Myers Family Partnership is waiting on the Nash Road Extension to be built so that it can develop land on the west side of Route 10 between Starbucks and Deerfield Estates. Construction of the Nash Road Extension is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2021 with completion by spring 2023.

“My dad’s 87,” Myers said, referring to Henry Myers. “He wants to see something happen. We’ve been talking about this for 15 years.” A Chester native, Henry Myers has been developing land since he was 18. That work began with three duplexes, a house and a now-vacant building that once housed a 7-Eleven. All are located on the west side of Route 10.

The Myers Family Partnership owns about 55 acres along Route 10 in the “Colonial Corridor,” or the area near the courthouse, Myers said.