Azor-Led Partnership Breaks Ground On Wawa In Plantation

FLA BPI LLC, a partnership led by longtime South Florida shopping center owner/developer Beth Azor, has started construction on a Wawa at the southeast corner of Pine Island Road and Broward Boulevard.

The development group, Plantation city officials and Wawa representatives held a groundbreaking ceremony on April 4 for the popular convenience store and gas station which is expected to open in approximately 12 months.

FLA BPI acquired the three-acre site in 2016 and tore down a 1970’s-era, dilapidated office building. In 2019, the southern portion of the site was redeveloped with a 6,400-square-foot retail center known as Midtown Crossing. Tenants include a Starbucks, Chim Authentic Thai and Sushi and Smoosh Cookies. The Wawa store will occupy the northern half.

“It is gratifying to see our full vision for this highly visible property finally coming to fruition,” said Azor, CEO and founder of Davie-based Azor Advisory Services and managing partner of FLA BPI LLC. “I want to thank the city for embracing our plan and recognizing the value we are bringing to this part of town.”

 

“It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago, this was a rotted, dilapidated building that we were worried about falling apart,” Plantation Mayor Nick Sortal said at the groundbreaking. “The plan all along was to build something, and we thought this was the best thing. Wawa is absolutely the right play.”

The store will offer easy access to residents and workers at nearby employment centers, Azor said. She noted that the gas station will be the first in Plantation on the south side of busy Broward Boulevard between Flamingo Road and U.S. 441.

Pennsylvania-based Wawa sells freshly prepared foods, beverages, coffee, fuel services and surcharge-free ATMs. The stores offer a large fresh foodservice selection, including Wawa brands such as custom hoagies, freshly brewed coffee, hot breakfast sandwiches, specialty beverages and an assortment of soups, sides and snacks.

“This project is finally happening thanks to the relentless effort and determination of Beth Azor, because there are a lot of pieces that needed to be put together to make this happen. Without her, we wouldn’t be here today,” said Barry Belmont, a partner in the Midtown Crossing project.

Great Dane Petroleum will serve as general contractor. Valley Bank provided the construction loan.

The development site is located at 100 S. Pine Island Road.

Azor owns and operates five retail centers in suburban Broward County, two of which she developed from the ground up. She sold two shopping centers in Plantation and Sunrise over the past eight months.