Patriot acquired the property nearly five years ago. In 2002, the site was rezoned to allow the development of two 300,000-sf office buildings. However, because of the depressed office market, Patriot decided to seek a zoning change for retail use. According to the most recent statistics from Trammell Crow Co., the town's overall availability rate for office space is at nearly 40%.

The development, called Wayside Commons, will be what the developer calls the area's first "lifestyle center." The project features an open-air, landscaped environment that incorporates retailers and restaurants in a in a town square setting. Estimated costs for the development are reportedly about $30 million.

Joseph Zink, principal of Patriot Partners, notes that his firm has "numerous" meetings with local residents, community groups and town officials to "best determine what kind of project would benefit the town and its residents the most. We believe that the input we received was essential in creating a proposal that would best reflect the character of Burlington."