Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – At a recent Board of Supervisors meeting, Albemarle County officials discussed a significant economic development involving Home Depot’s $26 million investment in Fashion Square Mall. The project, which includes redeveloping the old Sears property, has garnered attention due to its potential impact on the community. 

Emily Kilroy, Albemarle County’s Director of Economic Development, highlighted the importance of this investment: “When you have a company invest that much into a property development, that money now becomes part of the Community tax base.” She also emphasized the broader benefits, noting that such investments help reduce the county’s reliance on residential taxes to fund public services. 

The discussion also touched on the challenges faced by Home Depot, including the need to address contaminated soils at the former Sears automotive center, which has added unexpected costs to the redevelopment. Kilroy mentioned that the county’s Economic Development Office is working to assist with these challenges to keep the project on track. 

 Listen to the full conversation here: