Published: June 17, 2008 06:41 am      

New shopping center on its way

Somerset — Those driving up and down U.S. 27 have probably noticed the expansive dirt clearing between the Grand Central Plaza and Oakwood, wondering, “What’s going to go there?”

While that information isn’t precisely available yet, what is known is this: Something big is on the way, and it’s coming courtesy of Domo Development.

Brook Ping, CEO of local company Stonebrook Development, said that Domo will be taking over the future development of the commercial site. According to their Web site, www.domodevelopment.com, the new shopping center will be known as Stonebrook.

He said that Stonebrook and Domo have been working closely for months in the design and infrastructure phases of construction.

Domo Development is a 30-year-old property development firm based out of Ohio, with offices in Cleveland and Columbus. They’re responsible for a number of commercial venues throughout that state, containing chain businesses such as Walgreens, Olive Garden, International House of Pancakes, and Target, and are currently working on projects not only in Kentucky but also New York, North Carolina and Virginia.

Domo’s site states that “Somerset is rapidly securing its position as the technical and industrial center for South Central Kentucky” and serves as the regional medical, shopping and recreational hub for over 400,000 people.”

The shopping center will be a 29.638 acre multi-use site, with shop space and outlet opportunities available.

“It is encouraging to see national retailers excited about coming to Somerset in the midst of the current economy and high gas prices,” said Ping. “Many developed areas across the country are in decline. (This) area is fortunate to have a stable economy, good resources, and a diverse workforce that is attractive to prospective service companies as well as national retailers.”

Ping, whose company also has a commercial plaza by the name of Stonebrook in Burnside, with a number of stores and restaurants located there, said that they are in the final stage of finishing the infrastructure, and with the completion of sewer and asphalt, construction can begin.

“We are exited about Domo coming to Somerset,” said Ping. ”They have many years of experience in developing and building large shopping centers.

“I have toured several shopping center developments Domo has completed outside of Kentucky and I liked what I saw,” he added. “They seem to understand what would be a good fit for the Somerset (and) Lake Cumberland market.”

So who’s coming? Rumors have been circulating for a while now in the community, but according to Ping, nobody should know just yet — and he can’t say, due to a confidentiality agreement with Domo. He did suggest, however, that it would be “big time.”

“I realize people are excited about new business and who plans to be in the center,” said Ping. “If rumors were any indication of what was going there, it would have been full several times. Projects like this don’t happen overnight, plans change, ideas change, and economies change.”