Mariano's Development Receives Approval, Construction to Start in Days

A Mariano’s Fresh Market, L.A. Fitness and Sears Auto Center are headed to Lawrence and Ravenswood, with an opening date in late 2013.

The City Council approved the project Thursday by a 48-1 vote after traveling through the finance and zoning committees. Ward 45 Ald. John Arena cast the lone no vote and one alderman was absent.

Construction could begin in the next few days on the $43 million development, Ward 47 Ald. Ameya Pawar said. The project received $4.5 million in Tax Increment Financing, approved by the finance committee Wednesday.

Pawar addressed nearly 50 residents at a community meeting Thursday night at McPherson Elementary School.

Representatives from the architect designing the project were on hand to answer questions.

Jeff Woll, with Antunovich Associates, said the Mariano’s would be about 70,000 square feet, slightly larger than the new location in the West Loop. The grocery store would take up the second floor, with a 40,000 square-foot L.A. Fitness and 10,000 square-foot Sears on the ground level. Parking will be constructed on the roof of the building.

Developers are finalizing city permits and closing construction loans, said Bill Higgins, the program coordinator for Ward 47. More than 500 temporary and permanent jobs will come with the project.

About 150 apartments will also begin construction next to the location. The $20 million residential development will be completed in two phases, one approximately in September and the other in the spring of 2014, Pawar said.

Come back to Patch on Monday to read more about the development and changes to Lawrence Avenue. Like us on Facebook!