By Bryant Thigpen
Riverbend News
The Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is excited to announce that a building that has been vacant for 26 years will soon be the home of the Live Oak Post Office as well as multiple retail stores. The revitalization of this 45,000 square foot building, which once houses the famous Pic N’ Sav store, is the result of an investment by visionary developers USA Commercial-Residential of Miami.
In a press release by the CRA, Jay Goldman, president of USA Commercial-Residential noted the transformation of this building will be a great benefit to this community.
“The building sat on five acres, and we added a little more on the north side, by buying enough property from our neighbor to allow for a fully fenestrated façade, sidewalk and parking to what once was a blank wall facing US 129. The traffic count, of over 13,000 cars passing by each day told us we needed to make a better impression,” Goldman said. “Opening up the walls of this brutalist architecture with glass storefronts and skinning the concrete block building with full-size Georgia Clay bricks has transformed the site from blight to beautiful!”
According to the CRA, in addition to the Live Oak Post Office, an Urgent Care Center, local bespoke coffee purveyor, a fashion boutique and a day spa have committed to The Commons. A local restaurateur is also in discussions to bring back a beloved family eatery.
“Southern Medicine Urgent and Primary Care, Victoria’s Fashions, Arise Coffee and Merle Norman are all local entrepreneurs to Live Oak” said Dana Berman, an equity partner with USA Commercial-Residential in this project, as well as project co-manager. “We are thrilled so many businesses have chosen to be with us as we revitalize this location.”
David Burch, chairman of the CRA board, noted that as of August 2020, the CRA has contributed over $52,000 in direct cash to this project in the form of grants, as well as additional utility infrastructure and planning and zoning support. “This is a terrific project, really well done,” said Burch.
No official move in date as been set yet. Be sure to stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.