Mann Central promises to be the most significant retail development ever seen in Wodonga.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
At $65 million, it certainly is a major spend and the size of the vacant lot ready for construction shows clearly just how much it will change the city’s central business district.
It has been a long time coming but promises to truly revolutionise the retail experience in Wodonga, as well as stopping the bleeding of shoppers’ dollars over the border into Albury.
The project was supposed to get under way in January and it appeared as though that timeline had been met. The site was cleared and initial site works completed.
But since then the project has been at a standstill, with the only continuing indication it is still a goer has been the large advertising board at the High Street corner.
The good news now though is the development is well and truly on the way. Construction is already back on track thanks to Mann Central being added to a $300 million porfolio of jobs being done by Aktiv Property.
Aktiv’s decision to buy the development from the consortium that included members of the Mann family will again inject confidence into the project.
And seeing work under way will no doubt add confidence to the nearby development of Junction Place, encouraging more expressions of interest in that aspect of the overhaul of central Wodonga.
Those involved in negotiations for the on-sale of the Mann development should be congratulated for their clear commitment to what was first outlined to the city’s residents several years ago.
Its importance cannot be underestimated given the jobs created in both construction – prominent Border company Joss Construction will pour a lot of money back into the community as the builder – and from this vibrant new retail area.
It is welcome too that the Mann family’s connection to the site will continue with news that it will own seven new shops to front High Street.
Robert Mann, Simon Rooney from agents Jones Lang La Salle and Alecon Group managing director Trevor Loewensohn should be commended for pulling together a deal that promises to deliver so much for Wodonga.