Update 12/17/21 – The request by Nicholas Durgarian to convert a former public-safety complex in North Providence, Rhode Island, to a mixed-use project containing self-storage has been delayed. Though the planning board recommended the town council approve it, council members raised concerns during a Dec. 7 meeting and have postponed any action until January. Town council president Dino Autiello said the council only recently learned about the project and needs time to review the plans, which include demolishing the existing structures. Durgarian is vice president of Douglas Construction Co., a construction, development and facility-management company.

11/19/21 – Nicholas Durgarian received initial approval to move forward with the conversion of a former public-safety complex in North Providence, Rhode Island, to a mixed-use project. Despite objections from residents during the Nov. 10 planning meeting, the board recommended the town council approve a zone change that’ll allow commercial general use for the property. Plans include a three-story self-storage facility, a drive-thru bank and a 2,250-square-foot fast-food restaurant that will also offer drive-thru services.

11/18/21 – The global self-storage development pipeline continues to be extremely dynamic. Inside Self-Storage regularly covers new projects being planned and approved as well as zoning and other municipal issues. Following is additional activity taking place in November 2021.

Property owners Nick Barile and Sean Wallace intend to develop a self-storage facility in the Byram neighborhood of Greenwich, Connecticut, on land they acquired in 2018. The project at 84 S. Water St. will comprise 19,500 square feet in 513 units. Builders will demolish most of the former Hasco Manufacturing building that already exists on the property, though they’ll try to preserve the historical façade, which dates to 1904. Officials questioned whether the project fits with the Waterfront Business Zone. Barile and Wallace said they’ll try to integrate the waterfront into the design, possibly adding boat docks or storage and extending the walkway along the Byram River. They’ll also consider adding other business uses to the site. The Byram Neighborhood Association opposes the project, which would be near several apartment complexes.

Bravo Development LLC received zoning approval to convert the multi-story Richard Borden Manufacturing Co. No. 2 building in Fall River, Massachusetts, to self-storage. Though the structure is in a medical district, the company received a waiver of zoning requirements, pending a review once construction is finished. The four-story, 190,000-square-foot structure at 288 Plymouth Ave. currently houses several tenants including a pool hall, medical-training academy and a clothing store, all of which will be ousted. Once complete, the facility will be operated by a self-storage management company.

Etkin Real Estate Solutions is facing opposition in its plan to convert the former Goodrich Quality 16 movie theater in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to a mixed-use complex containing office space, retail and self-storage. Plans for the 51,000-square-foot building at 3686 Jackson Road involve demolishing the interior and adding a second floor. The request would require a zoning change and amendment to the current planned unit development, which only permits a movie theater on the site, according to township-planning consultant Doug Lewan, executive vice president of Carlisle Wortman & Associates. Lewan provided Etkin with a 22-item checklist it needs to address. The planning commission tabled its vote for four months to allow the company to rework its proposal. Founded in 1982 and based in Royal Oak, Michigan, Etkin acquires, develops and manages industrial, office, retail and self-storage.

Property owner Colm O’Shea intends to build a 120,000-square-foot self-storage facility in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston. The site at 75 Stedman St. is currently a construction yard. It’s in an area in which several commercial properties have recently been replaced by multi-family housing.

Real estate developer Mahendra Patel received approval for a self-storage development at South Loop 250 and Graceland Drive in Midland, Texas. The zoning will change from office to commercial on 28 lots and a portion of a 29th. The planning and zoning commission approved the transition with the condition that the project conform to commercial-district regulations. City staff had recommended against the shift, citing previous zoning history for single-family use and, most recently, a church.

Steve Nelson, acting as K&S LLC, intends to build a self-storage facility on a 9.7-acre lot he owns in Sioux City, Iowa. The $14 million project on Cunningham Drive would comprise more than 100,000 square feet in a three-story building and five single-story structures. The city council is considering a resolution to its Floyd River Urban Renewal Plan that would provide a 75% property-tax rebate to K&S for five years based on the new, incremental taxes created by the value added to the site. Nelson also owns Sioux City-based Nelson Commercial Construction.

Real estate investment trust (REIT) and third-party management firm Public Storage Inc. intends to build a three-story, 41,000-square foot self-storage facility along the eastern shore of Crystal Lake, near West Orange, New Jersey. The site currently houses a 25,000-square-foot former bowling alley, though it’s unclear if the REIT would convert or demolish and replace it. The project would also involve the removal of 38 trees and is opposed by residents who would prefer the area be preserved for outdoor recreation. After the zoning board entreated a reduction in facility size, Public Storage requested an adjournment until mid-December. City officials are also concerned the project would cut into a slope near the edge of an old quarry. The municipality is looking at ways to regulate mountainside construction after the development of an athletic facility was suspected of playing a role in a rockslide that impacted a nearby apartment complex. Based in Glendale, California, Public Storage has interests in 2,678 self-storage facilities in 39 states, with approximately 186 million net rentable square feet.

Norway-based Self Storage Group ASA (SSG) has purchased a property for NOK 6.2 million in Vennesla, Norway, on which it plans to build a new location. Expected to open in the third quarter of 2022, the 8,600-square-foot facility on Lundevegen 10 will operate under the company’s OK Minilager brand.

SSG also acquired land in Sarpsborg, Norway, for NOK 4.6 million on which it will develop a new, 2,000-square-meter self-storage facility. The project is expected to be complete in 2023. It’ll operate under the company’s City Self-Storage brand name. SSG operates 126 facilities across Scandinavia under the City and OK Minilager brand names. Its portfolio comprises 165,300 square meters.

Stein Investment Group, which operates the Space Shop Self Storage brand, received preliminary site-plan approval to develop a facility in Mentor, Ohio. Plans for the vacant lot at 7868 Reynolds Road include 104,411 square feet of storage in five buildings. Based in Atlanta, Stein operates 2 million square feet of self-storage.

Phoenix-based. U-Haul International Inc. is seeking approval to build a three-story self- and vehicle-storage facility in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The 10-acre parcel is north of London Bridge Road along Arizona State Route 95. The triangular lot is 10 to 15 feet below the highway, which will make the building ultimately reach 25 to 30 feet above the road.

U-Haul is also developing a new self-storage location in Loveland, Colorado. Plans for the 7.57-acre parcel at 5440 Byrd Drive include three stories comprising 100,000 square feet in 700 climate-controlled units. The facility is expected to open in 2023.

U-Haul is converting the former WASCO masonry warehouse in Nashville, Tennessee, to self-storage. The 1.8-acre property at 1031 Whites Creek Pike will serve as a replacement for a U-Haul facility at 241 N. 1st St. that was destroyed by a 2020 tornado. Once complete, the site will offer 200 units.

U-Haul is also converting a former Kmart in West Columbia, South Carolina, to self-storage. Once complete, the 100,984-square-foot building at 1500 Charleston Highway will offer 700 climate-controlled units. Established in 1945, U-Haul owns and manages more than 71 million square feet of storage space nationwide.

The William Warren Group (WWG), a privately held real estate company that operates the StorQuest Self Storage brand, opened a new location in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. The facility at 155 King St. is the company’s second location in Brooklyn and 10th in the state. Founded in 1994 and based in Santa Monica, Calif., WWG acquires, develops and manages more than 200 self-storage facilities nationwide.

11/4/21 – The global self-storage development pipeline continues to be extremely dynamic. Inside Self-Storage regularly covers new projects being planned and approved as well as zoning and other municipal issues. Following is activity taking place in November 2021.

Bluebird Self Storage and private-equity real estate investment firm NYX Capital Corp. intend to develop a self-storage facility in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The companies have previously partnered on several self-storage developments. This new project would be built on a 2-acre industrial lot on Platinum Drive, which is part of the new Erin Mills Business Park and surrounded by an established residential community. Bluebird operates 24 self-storage facilities in Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec. Based in Toronto, NYX specializes in commercial, industrial and residential real estate and development projects throughout Canada.

Nicholas Durgarian is seeking zoning approval to convert a former public-safety complex in North Providence, Rhode Island, into a mixed-use project that’ll include self-storage, a bank and a fast-food restaurant. The planning board will consider the three-building commercial development at 1967 Mineral Spring Ave. at its Nov. 10 meeting. The storage units would be at the back of the property and comprise 39,000 square feet. The $2 million purchase for the land is contingent upon the town council’s consent.

Thomas Linder received zoning approval from the Madison County Board to develop a self-storage facility in Edwardsville, Illinois. Plans for the 5.58-acre parcel on Blackburn Road will include vehicle storage.

Parkland Group filed plans to demolish a two-story garage it owns in New York City and replace it with an eight-story self-storage facility, though some community members oppose the project in favor of affordable housing. Parkland acquired the property, which most recently housed an Avis car rental, in April for $19.8 million. The facility at 424 E. 90th St. will comprise 104,000 square feet and be designed by New Jersey-based TAO Architecture + Design. Parkland is a New York-based real estate development and investment firm.

Prairie Life Storage in Cedar Falls, Iowa, opened. The facility at 6100 Production Drive is owned and operated by Jocelyn and Rob Schuerman. It offers more than 300 climate-controlled units.

PS Atlantic Coast LLC, an affiliate of real estate investment trust Public Storage Inc., intends to build a new self-storage facility in West Orange, New Jersey. The three-story structure would replace the former Eagle Rock Lanes bowling alley at 424 Eagle Rock Ave., which is targeted for demolition. The project would include a gated parking area, with two spaces provided for public access to nearby Crystal Lake. The zoning board of adjustment was scheduled to hear the proposal late last month. Based in Glendale, California, Public Storage has interests in 2,678 self-storage facilities in 39 states, with approximately 186 million net rentable square feet.

Safestore Holdings PLC, which operates the Safestore self-storage brand in Europe and the United Kingdom, intends to build a new facility in Shoreham-by-Sea, England. The site at the Albion Street truck stop would initially comprise about 2,000 square meters, though expansion may be requested upon project approval. The company has a conditional purchase agreement with West Sussex County, which owns the property. It has held discussions with the Adur District Council, a local government body that’s based in Shoreham, to work through setbacks, landscaping, utility access and a sewer diversion. The council has accepted the site as suitable for self-storage but has asked the developer to account for the property’s proximity to the Kingston Buci Conservation Area as well as the district’s air-quality and sustainability requirements. Safestore operates 176 self-storage facilities in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Real estate investment firm Simi Capital Group is converting a self-storage facility in Staten Island, New York, to outdoor vehicle storage. The 6-acre site at 2577 Forest Ave. is operating as Keepers Self Storage. Simi purchased the property for $19 million in a partnership with private-equity firm Cerberus Capital Management and Stonemont Financial Group.

Southside Storage has expanded its facility at 1340 Conant St. in Maumee, Ohio. The property now includes 25,815 square feet of rentable storage space in 311 units. It's owned by David and Elisabeth Landoll, and managed by Absolute Storage Management, a third-party management company. The Landolls have been in the self-storage industry since 2017 and are part owners of other storage facilities.

Property owner Susan Booth Stevenson intends to build a four-story self-storage facility on a vacant parking lot in Wilmington, North Carolina. The 77,510-square-foot structure on South College Road would be more than 44 feet tall. Project developers Bella Vista Development Group LLC and Craig Davis Properties Inc. have applied to have the lot rezoned to commercial services, which would allow self-storage as a use. The parking lot was built as overflow space for a since-vacated Hendrick Honda dealership, which is across the street. The same developers are seeking to rezone the 6-acre dealership to build a 300-unit residential complex called Paseo. City staff has recommended approval for both projects.

Phoenix-based U-Haul International Inc. is building a facility in Gillette, Wyoming. The company purchased the property at 1125 Boxelder Road in July. Expected to be complete in 2023, the three-story structure will comprise more than 100,000 square feet in 700-plus climate-controlled units.

U-Haul is also constructing a new location in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on a 6-acre property it acquired in September. Expected to be complete in 2023, the three-story facility near Rinconada Boulevard and U.S. Route 70 will comprise 85,000 square feet in 600 climate-controlled units.

U-Haul is converting a former medical office and fitness center in Modesto, California, to self-storage. The two-story building at 2004-2012 McHenry Ave. was built in 1978. Plans for the 2.6-acre property include 43,347 square feet in 500 climate-controlled interior units, plus a warehouse for portable containers.

U-Haul also intends to convert a former Kmart store in West Columbia, South Carolina, into a self-storage and truck-rental center. The 100,984-square-foot building at 1500 Charleston Highway would offer more than 700 interior units, a retail showroom and related services. U-Haul acquired the 9-acre property on Sept. 30. Established in 1945, U-Haul owns and manages nearly 71 million square feet of storage space nationwide.

New Sources:
Fall River Reporter, Fall River Mill Containing Well-Known Businesses Expected to Become Self-Storage Facility
Greenwich Free Press, P&Z Watch: Commissioners, BNA Question Appropriateness of Self-Storage Facility on Waterfront
Greenwich Time, A Developer Says Greenwich Is ‘Underserved for Self-Storage,’ But Byram Neighbors Criticize the Plan
Jersey Digs, West Orange Residents Oppose Proposed Self-Storage Facility at Historic Crystal Lake
Market Screener, Self Storage Group ASA - Acquisition of New Property in Sarpsborg, Norway
Market Screener, Self Storage Group ASA - Acquisition of New Property in Vennesla, Norway
Michigan Live, What Will Replace Shuttered Movie Theater Near Ann Arbor? Plans for Storage Units Get Frosty Reception
Midland Reporter-Telegram, Planning and Zoning Approves Planned Self-Storage Facility
PR Newswire, U-Haul Reveals Plans for 700 Storage Rooms, Retail in Loveland
PR Newswire, U-Haul Opening New Store in East Nashville after 2020 Tornado
PRWeb, StorQuest Self Storage Expands Reach in the Brooklyn Market
Sioux City Journal, Self-Storage Facility, 5 Single-Story Buildings Planned for Cunningham Drive
The Herald News, This Fall River Mill May Become a Storage Facility. But What About the Businesses Inside?
The Lexington Lever, U-Haul to Open New Moving & Storage Center in Old K-Mart Building in West Columbia
The News-Herald, Mentor Planners OK Preliminary Plans for Self-Storage Facility
Today’s News-Herald , Plan for U-Haul Store Before Lake Havasu City Council
Universal Hub, Property Owner Betting All Those People Moving Into New Apartments and Condos in Forest Hills Need More Room to Store Their Stuff
Westport News, As Builder Pitches Plan for Self-Storage Facility, Already One Greenwich Resident Has Concerns About Impact on Byram
The Valley Breeze, Board Gives Initial Nod to Development at Old Safety Complex
The Valley Breeze, Council Concerned About Impact From Self-Storage Facility

Previous Sources:
Multi-Housing News, U-Haul Expands California Footprint With Self Storage Conversion
PR.com, New Self-Storage Facility Expansion Completed in Maumee, Ohio
PR Newswire, Coming to Gillette: U-Haul Developing Land for New Store by 2023
PR Newswire, U-Haul of Northrise to Meet Self-Storage Demand in Las Cruces
The Courier, Prairie Life Storage Now Open
The Telegraph, Zoning Requests OK'd, Other Board Action
The Valley, Safety Complex Redevelopment Up for Review
Real Estate Weekly, Simi Capital Partners With Cerberus, Stonemont on $19M Industrial Buy
Jersey Digs, Self-Storage Facility Could Replace West Orange’s Eagle Rock Lanes
Patch, Large Upper East Side Storage Building Moving Forward, Plans Show
Port City Daily, Storage Units Planned for Vacant Car Dealership Lot, Next to Proposed Apartments and New Car Wash
PR Newswire, U-Haul to Convert Vacant Kmart into Modern Self-Storage Facility
The Argus, New Self-Storage Building Planned for Southwick Lorry Park on A259