by Danielle Frawley

In recent weeks, two rather large pieces of real estate in Town have turned into construction zones as an existing business expands and a new business breaks ground.

Shelburne Bay Senior Living Community expands
The expansion of the Shelburne Bay Senior Living Community, owned and managed by Gregg Beldock of Bullrock Corporation, began five years ago. Executive director of Shelburne Bay Living community, Lauri Brown, explained that the Town of Shelburne originally had nixed the original project because of issues surrounding population density. However, while the decision was pending in court Bullrock went back to the drawing board and three years ago brought another proposal to the Town. The Shelburne DRB gave final approval for this proposal last month and construction began where the Ponderosa once stood in the beginning of July.

The expansion will be for 75 units, and Brown said the completion date is slated for December 2011, with the understanding that New England weather and construction will most likely move that date to the beginning of 2012. The 75 units will be assisted living, and Brown said, "We're thrilled that more of our independent living residents will now have the option to age in place and to stay within the community that many have been living in for an average of five years."

Tractor Supply Co.
The official groundbreaking for construction of the new Tractor Supply Co. at 3708 Shelburne Road began Monday, July 12. The developer of the property is Primax Properties LLC, and the general contractor is its sister company, Primax Construction Inc. All subcontractors are hired locally. Gardenside Nursery of Shelburne is assisting with the landscape design.

The process for opening the Tractor Supply Co. in Shelburne began about a year ago, said Frank Alexander of Primax Properties LLC, based in Charlotte, N.C. He estimated that construction should be completed by November of this year, but that most likely the store will not open until the beginning of 2011, after the Christmas holiday.

This will be Tractor Supply Co.'s sixth store in Vermont. Other stores in the state are in Bennington, Rutland, St. Albans, Montpelier, and Derby.