Image courtesy of Google Maps.

Efforts to replace a blighted Manchester shopping plaza took a step forward Tuesday when town officials voted to chose a developer for the site.

New Milford-based developer Manchester Parkade I will enter into a memorandum of understanding with the town following the vote, according to the Hartford Courant. The town had previously issued a request for proposals.

The firm is proposing market-rate multifamily buildings for a little under half of the 23-acre, town-owned site. In total, the development could see as much as 1 million square feet of office and residential buildings, along with restaurants a a theater.

The site is located behind the town’s existing and successful Parkade shopping plaza.