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Giant Eagle plan takes new twist
(by Sue Reid - July 11, 2012)
Giant Eagle plan takes new twist
By SUE REID
Not only will a new Giant Eagle supermarket be a major part of the redeveloped Solon Village shopping center by the summer of 2013, but it will be the first of its kind in the Cleveland area, Solon Planning Director Robert S. Frankland said Tuesday.
A proposal before the Solon planning commission the evening from Echo Solon and Giant Eagle would modify the front elevation of the new store as part of a plan to upgrade it to a Giant Eagle Market District format.
Giant Eagle Market District stores are the company's top-end marketing concept, Mr. Frankland said, and they provide significantly expanded services and merchandising over its typical stores.
"In my opinion, it will probably be the nicest supermarket in the Cleveland area," Mr. Frankland said. "We're excited to be the first one in the Cleveland area. This is very good for Solon."
The Solon Village shopping center is replacing the Solar Center plaza at the southeast corner of SOM Center (Route 91) and Aurora (Route 43) roads.
Giant Eagle representatives said they too are excited to locate that type of store in Solon.
"We are excited about our most recent plans to bring our Market District store concept to Solon, Giant Eagle spokesman Dan Donovan said Tuesday. "We continue to work closely with local officials on the potential store specifics but have nothing to confirm at this time," he said.
"This store is one of several potential Northeast Ohio Market District locations the company is pursuing," Mr. Donovan said.
Currently, Market District stores are only in the Pittsburgh and Columbus areas, Mr. Frankland said. "This is big that they are upgrading the Solon store to a Market District. It will have a lot more services," he said. "We have only one primary grocery store, and it might as well be the top end you can get."
The primary exterior modification associated with the proposal would be a redesign of the principal entry point to the store. Mr. Frankland explained that the peaked roof that had been proposed would be replaced with a flat-roof design, and substantial additional glass would be provided in accordance with the Market District branding concept.
He said the Western Reserve architectural design concept recommended by the city's master plan would be maintained, and the building materials and colors would be as previously approved. All elevations, except the main entry also would remain as originally approved, he said.
"Frankly, the new Market District entry area complements the work already done on balance of the building," Mr. Frankland said.
The proposed exterior modifications have been reviewed and recommended for approval by the city's architect consultant.
In addition, Giant Eagle requested approval to locate an outdoor employee seating area along the southwest corner of the building. The patio would be enclosed by brick pillars and decorative metal fencing.
The company also submitted a more detailed drawing for the outdoor seating area for a cafe at the northeast corner of the building.
Phillip A. Bishop, vice president of Echo Real Estate Services Co., said Monday that the project is moving quite well. The pad for the Get Go gas station will be delivered in August, and work is continuing on the approximately 11,600-square-foot retail out-parcel building, which will be located to the rear of the Fifth Third Bank and DO Sommers building.
Leasing is going well, Mr. Bishop said, and is close to 90 percent filled.
Work is continuing on the new 92,000-square-foot Giant Eagle, with plans to deliver the pad later this fall, Mr. Bishop said. The supermarket will be at the south end of the project site, adjacent to the Hebrew School property.
The contractor on the project is Continental Buildings Systems, with offices in Columbus, Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Its representatives are on site each day, Mr. Bishop said.
"We are pleased it is moving forward so quickly," Mr. Frankland said of the project.
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