Plaza DeKalb progressing as winter approaches

DeKALB – Most of the facade and upper-level work on the two easternmost buildings slated for renovation as part of the Plaza DeKalb apartment and commercial-use development is expected to be finished in the fall, city officials said.

Work on the remaining two buildings, one of which is set for demolition, however, won’t begin until the spring.

John Pappas, the principal developer behind the project and the nearby Cornerstone building, had the Plaza DeKalb plan approved by the DeKalb City Council in August. In it, Pappas requested up to $1.9 million in tax increment financing funds to help pay for the $6 million project.

When complete, it will feature at least 21 fully furnished residential suites with access to rooftop amenities and a Mediterranean grocery store. The grocery store is to be occupied by Ammar Mahmood, owner of Jamrah Middle Eastern Cuisine in DeKalb.

Although Cornerstone required sidewalk closures on First Street and Lincoln Highway as well as lane closures for a portion of the demolition, Pappas said there should not be any lane closures for this project. He added that none of the businesses inside the renovated buildings, including Poppy Seed Primitives and the Gaming Goat, will have to close while the work is underway.

“We’re doing it the right way,” Pappas said.

Jason Michnick, the city’s economic development planner, said one discussion that has not taken place is the contractor’s access to alleyways and the nearby Van Buer Plaza.

“Our goal would be to have zero impact on parking in Van Buer Plaza and utilize the space adjacent to the building as much as possible, or use a remote site for material staging,” Michnick said. “Given that this project is different from Cornerstone in nature, we will need a better understanding of the construction timeline to determine a strategy.”

Pappas bought the properties at 203, 209, 223 and 229 E. Lincoln Highway for more than $1.2 million for the project, but only 209 E. Lincoln, the site of Blu Door Decor, will be targeted for demolition. Michnick said demolition is not planned until the spring.

One of the things that might hold up progress through the end of the year is a tenant who still lives in one of the four apartments.

“It is likely that one of the two facades will remain incomplete until spring in order to reduce the impact on the tenant during the holiday improvements,” Michnick said.

He added that the residential improvements on the upper levels of the 223 and 229 E. Lincoln properties will be completed by the end of the year.

Two additional parcels along Locust Street also were considered to provide additional parking for tenants, but Michnick said he did not anticipate more parking to be constructed before the completion of the facility. Pappas estimated that construction would be finished by the end of spring.

Moving on is Jason Hiland, owner of Diamond Tour Golf at 203 E. Lincoln Highway, who recently closed on a property at 202 Lucas St. in Sycamore, the former site of Opportunity House, which provides services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The nonprofit had been operating out of this facility and its new building on 357 N. California St., but after work was completed on the new building, clients and staff relocated.

Hiland said he had been looking to move his business to a larger facility and was given until the end of November to vacate his current space.

Jana Nowak, owner of Blu Door Decor at 209 E. Lincoln Highway, the property slated for demolition, said her lease will end June 30, and although she is searching for other locations for her business, she would like to stay in DeKalb.

“Business has been good, and DeKalb is up-and-coming, which has been a big help,” Nowak said.