Development/Redevelopment

Chicago -- Urban Retail Properties LLC said Tuesday it has appointed Samuel J. Greenblatt as principal, finance/capital markets. Greenblatt’s primary role will be to raise capital and foster financial relationship opportunities for the company.

Prior to his role with Urban, Greenblatt was executive VP and director of originations of RAIT Financial Trust, a NYSE traded mortgage real estate investment trust.

Columbia, S.C. -- Edens & Avant said Tuesday it has promoted Jami Passer to managing director. Prior to joining Edens & Avant in 2006, Passer was a partner and consultant with P3 Partners, a South Florida real estate advisory firm as well as being a managing director in the Real Estate Capital Markets Group of Andersen Corporate Finance LLC.

Conshohocken, Pa. -- Metro Commercial Real Estate said Monday that Roy Perez-Daple has joined the company, where he will expand the firm’s national retailer advisory services as well as pursue strategic landlord opportunities.

Somerdale, N.J. -- Purchase, N.Y.-based National Realty & Development Corp. said that GameStop, Great Clips and Go Wireless have opened at the newly renovated CooperTowne Center.

Reopened in October 2010, CooperTowne Center is a 385,000-sq.-ft. Greyfields Redevelopment that revitalized the former Lions Head Plaza in Somerdale, N.J. The shopping center is anchored by Walmart Supercenter, a Cinemark 16-screen theater, and a LA Fitness.

Dallas -- Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services said it has named Jason S. Vitorino senior director of the firm’s National Retail Group in Dallas.

Vitorino joined Marcus & Millichap’s sales intern program in September 2003. He became an agent in April 2004. During his career, Vitorino has closed more than 200 transactions valued at over $660 million, according to the company.
 

Savannah, Ga. -- Centro Properties Group said that Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt has opened a 1,215-sq.-ft. store at Eisenhower Square.

The shopping center, located in Savannah, Ga., is owned by New York City-based Centro Properties Group.

New York City -- Chicago's City Council on Thursday approved a $1 million property tax break for Costco Wholesale Corp. to build its second store in the city, Chicago Business reported.

The tax break was introduced by Mayor Richard M. Daley at a December City Council meeting. He asked that the retailer receive a $1 million tax break over 12 years for a store to be built at 14th Street and Ashland Avenue.

Elizabeth, N.J. -- Columbus, Ohio-based Glimcher Realty Trust has announced plans for the largest single-roof top solar system in North America to be built on the roof of Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, N.J.

Brandon, Fla. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space in Brandon, Fla., at Bloomingdale Square to Pet Supermarket.     

Pet Supermarket has leased 9,000 sq. ft., bringing the center to 96% leased. The pet supply retailer is slated to open in first quarter 2011.

The 267,736-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by a 92,681-sq.-ft. Wal-Mart, Bealls and Publix, plus other retailers such as Dollar Tree, Hallmark, RadioShack and Bank of America.

Los Angeles -- BH Properties announced that Ronald J. Platisha has been promoted to the newly created position of COO.

Platisha will lead the organizational operations while building and maintaining relationships with financial institutions.

Platisha, a 30-year veteran in the commercial real estate industry, has served as CFO at BH Properties for the past four years.