Locating a business in Merrillville will now require proof that a deal is in the works for redevelopment projects.
The Town Council at its meeting March 6 was told that an Illinois-based developer withdrew its petition last month at a Board of Zoning Appeals meeting to turn the former Strack & Van Til grocery store property at 73rd Avenue and Taft Street in Merrillville into a self-storage facility. At that BZA meeting, property owner Frank Van Til said he didn’t have a contract with the developer.
As a result, Town Attorney Joe Sventanoff said businesses will now have to provide town building director Sheila Shine with a signed power-of-attorney, purchase agreement or other written documentation by both parties proving they’re working on a deal.
“Financing (for deals) falls through all the time. This is a different story,” Town Councilman Shawn Pettit, D-6th, said. “We spent three separate meetings on this and wasted a bunch of time on something that didn’t even come to fruition.”
Mark Reynolds, with Blackhall Corp., told the BZA that he had a contract to purchase the property all the way to the southern portion, with the exception of the gas station. He was seeking variances to allow him to have climate controlled-indoor storage lockers inside the former grocery store, outside storage in the parking lot and to construct a building in excess of 17 feet in height.
Van Til said after that meeting he has a Realtor marketing the space, but he and the other tenants are looking for a business that generates foot traffic like the grocery store did. They’ve had no offers yet, according to Van Til.
More Top Picks Best Magnifying Mirrors For Seniors
In other business, the council approved unanimously a special exception approval the BZA gave to Kolbrook Designs for a Wingstop Inc. dine-in restaurant at 407 W. Lincoln Highway. Part of a nationwide chain, the restaurant will have a 1930s aviation theme and 32 seats as well as four employees. A representative said 70 percent of its business is carryout or delivery.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.