anchor Description
This level of effort project is intended to provide a structured process to ensure that all ABS retail store locations are modernized and updated to provide customers with a friendlier shopping experience, in well merchandised stores that offer choice, convenience, and knowledgeable staff. Once a retail store has been refreshed, it could offer tasting rooms, growler stations, wider shopping aisles, pairing dinners, other special events and a more aesthetically pleasing and safer shopping experience. Flooring, painting, shelving, updating restrooms, and work identified for major building systems (including the roof, mechanical/HVAC, and windows) will be included to "freshen up" the retail stores and ensure working and efficient operating systems.
anchorEstimated Schedule
ABS started remodeling stores in FY20 within their operating budget, with four refurbishment projects at the Darnestown, Cabin John, Montrose and Wheaton retail store locations. Beginning in FY21, and within this CIP project, the remodel schedule would align with the schedule of lease expirations with stores being remodeled in the year in which their lease is negotiated for renewal with the understanding that all 25 stores would be evaluated and refurbished prior to the end of the CIP project. Then the CIP cycle for refresh work would start over again. ABS identifies the stores to be refreshed approximately 18 months before planning and design work begins on them.
anchor Justification
This project is a vital piece of ABS's 5 Year Financial Plan to increase its transfer to the County. Further, this project will give ABS the ability to be able to leverage external funding that will eliminate the need to use debt financing or tax dollars. Many of the retail stores have not been updated for 20 years. Ensuring that ABS is able to execute its multi-year plan to renovate/upgrade its 25 outdated retail stores is key to 2 out of 3 of its Turn the Curve Performance Goals. This project will also allow ABS to leverage contributions from landlords who will match, and in some cases exceed, the investment ABS will be able to make in each store remodel - an investment the landlords are not able to commit to without the County appropriation.