By Elle Wood

FREDERICA — First, in May 2017, it was the DE Turf Sports Complex that joined the longtime restaurant Meding’s Seafood along Del. 1.

That was followed by an 86-room SpringHill Suites location in August 2023, the first part of the commercial site dubbed Asbury Square.

The next portion of the complex, Empire Wine & Spirits, is almost complete right behind the hotel.

These plans have been in the works for many years.

“We started this project a little over a decade ago,” said John Paradee, a partner in Asbury Square, which includes the SpringHill Suites developed by Meoli Companies. “We saw a lot of opportunity for growth in this area.”

Empire is planning a grand opening in early June, but the development does not stop at the hotel and liquor store.

“We have a lot of potential opportunities out there,” Mr. Paradee said. “We have a pad site on the right-hand side of the entrance as a convenience/gas pad site. (And) out on SR 1, there are two sit-down restaurant pad sites.”

Another spot, between the liquor store and Frederica Road, originally was meant for two fast-food restaurants. However, the pandemic changed plans.

“We had this wonderful idea and the site plan record approved by the town, and then, we ran into a pandemic,” Mr. Paradee said. “Then, suddenly, the hospitality business became very challenging, which created a bit of a pivot.”

Instead, the developers are planning a building that can  house one or two undisclosed restaurants and/or storefronts, he said.

Mr. Paradee and his team are working with engineers to prepare a site plan to include these changes, which will be presented to the town for approval before construction begins. They hope to begin signing leases by the end of the summer and break ground in the fall.

“We are just excited to see that our vision and patience to the investment is now finally bearing through,” he said. “We knew that this would be a hot spot, and the market is coming back, and the excitement is there.”