Developers of a proposed Mariano’s store at the corner of North and Harlem avenues in Chicago told community members Wednesday night that they hoped the project would serve as a “catalyst” for business at the edge of the city’s west side.
At a community meeting at Shriners Hospitals, Chicago Ald. Deborah Graham introduced a group of developers who plan to demolish an existing Sears store at the northeast corner of the intersection, where the city and Oak Park meet, and build a new Sears and Mariano’s store in its place.
The grocery store would serve the Austin neighborhood, as well as residents in neighboring Oak Park, Elmwood Park and River Forest, developers said.
“This is just the start,” said Steve Wagner, senior vice president of retail and co-founder of Milwaukee-based Continental Properties, adding that the group has yet to submit any plans to the city. “We’re very excited to bring Mariano’s to this location.”
Initial renderings of the project depict a 72,000-square-foot store at the northwest corner of the site and a 50,000-square-foot Sears at the southeast corner. The project would also include an 5,000- to 7,000- square-foot out lot structure at the southwest end potentially for a restaurant or another commercial use.
The project could also entail the creation of a tax-increment financing district to offset the costs of demolishing the Sears building.
“We have an obsolete building on a site that has a lot of constraints to it,” said Mike Laube, of Laube Companies, which is working on the project with Continental Properties. “This development will certainly serve as an anchor and a catalyst for additional business, additional sales tax, additional jobs in those areas.”
Graham said she was in talks with Oak Park officials on the project and that neighboring business owners were “excited” about the potential of a special tax district to promote development
“I think it’s a great idea,” said Chicago resident Betty Spencer, who has lived in the neighborhood for about 28 years. “I’m going to miss the Sears, but we need a new building.”
Construction on the site could begin within 13 to 17 months, Wagner said.
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“It’s very exciting,” said Judith Alexander, an Oak Park resident and chair of the North Avenue Zoning and Development Advisory Committee. “What we really want is a North Avenue that meets the needs of the residents on both sides. … We want a North Avenue that doesn’t look rundown.”