The Boston Planning and& Development Agency (BPDA) hosted a meeting last week to hear the latest from representatives of the retail chain Floor & Décor on its plans to open in a renovated building at 729 Morrissey Blvd., above. The high-profile location off Victory Road has been empty since National Wholesale Liquidators went out of business in 2018.

At the meeting, which attracted about a dozen people, inside WORK, Inc. on Beach Street in Clam Point, an attorney for Kimco Realty, which controls the site, said the current plan is for the flooring store to open by late this year or early in 2021 after substantial renovations to the interior and facade of the existing building, and a reconfiguration of on-site parking.

“We are seeking a small project review with the BPDA which is why we are here today. We will also be seeking a conditional use permit with the Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA), and variances with respect to the number of parking spaces and certain screening requirements,” said William Squires, an attorney at Hickney, Allen & Snyder LLP.

The property is zoned as a neighborhood shopping district, requiring that a retail business operate out of the space.  Kimco Realty purchased the property, which they are now calling Morrissey Plaza, in April 2014.

Vanessa Massell, development manager for Centerpoint and consultant to Floor & Decor, said the store would employ roughly 45-50 people, with local applicants given priority. About 30 of them would be hired full-time.

As the meeting came to a close there were a few general questions from attendees, but no strong voices arguing against the project.