By Jerry Masek
More than 150 persons attended a meeting tonight to learn about plans to redevelop a 10-acre vacant site of a former Kmart at West 150th Street. The meeting was hosted by the West Park Kamm’s Neighborhood Development and Ward 17 Councilman Charles Slife. The project could be the catalyst for more redevelopment on Lorain Avenue between the site and the nearby RTA West Park Rapid Station.
Residents asked about 100 questions during 90 minutes. Here are some highlights.
Estimated Timetable:
* Spring 2021, Move the design drawings through the Planning Commission process.
* Summer 2021, Finalize project plans.
* Fall 2021, Demolish two buildings and start construction work.
* Summer 2022, Work should be complete.
Estimated Project Cost: $5 million-$10 million.
Estimate of Job Creation: Up to 140 permanent jobs, and “dozens and dozens” of construction-related jobs.
Tenants will be announced after the project is approved by the City Planning Commission. Developers have signed a “pre-lease” with three national retailers for the Kmart building, as well as a grocer for the building on the site of the current Rubin’s Restaurant.
Negotiations continue for:
* A tenant in the drive-thru coffee bar and restaurant building on NE corner of the site.
* Multiple tenants, local or national, for a stand-alone building where Dollar General used to be. The current building will be demolished. One of those tenants could be a sit-down restaurant, with outside patio seating.
The historic Marquard Building is still slated for demolition, but some elements from that building may be worked into the site elsewhere, the developer said.
Rubin’s Deli plans to move across the street, into a new building.
More details from the meeting may be posted later.