By Laura Katauskas | Bugle Staff
sweditor@buglenewspapers.com
@RomeovilleBugle
Uptown Square continues to take shape with the groundbreaking of a new retail center at the northwest corner of Route 53 and Alexander Circle in front of the Edward Hospital Athletic and Event Center.
The 9,400-square-foot retail center is expected to include six tenants including BMO Harris bank and the return of Subway.
“We look forward to the opening of this Center as this will bring additional retail along the Route 53 corridor, as well as attracting new development in the immediate area,” said Mayor John Noak.
BMO Harris Bank is expected to occupy a portion of the center and plans show for three drive-thru lanes to accommodate bank users.
The building is expected to incorporate the village’s standard design features using stone and brick; abundant landscaping and larger sidewalks in keeping with the remainder of the downtown area.
Completion is expected for the fall.
Meanwhile construction is moving along for the new Fat Rickys restaurant and long-awaited Franconis grocery store.
The approximately 10,500-square-foot building will be located in Outlet 1 of Uptown Square.
Fat Rickys will include a restaurant and sports bar and Franconis Grocery will include an Italian delicatessen and grocery with Italian bakery and café.
The two businesses will have separate entrances but will be connected through a vestibule for customers to walk from restaurant to store or vice versa.
An abundant landscaping plan is in the works as well complete with a new, wider decorative sidewalk outlining Phelps Avenue and decorative paving, brick pavers and a mixture of plantings harmonious with the overall Uptown Square landscape design plan.
The outlined construction is in keeping with the village’s plan to create a town center with retail, office, civic uses and public spaces in a pedestrian-friendly environment.
Uptown Square is meant to provide a multi-purpose activity area to serve the community.
The plan includes the athletic center, on-street parking, and a special event area to host community events.
Although Romeoville lacks a “traditional” downtown area, the village considers the 40-acre established site running from Route 53 to Dalhart Avenue as its downtown and has been working to redevelop the area for nearly a decade.
The site was originally developed in the mid 1960s and over time has deteriorated with much of the retail development migrating westward along Weber Road creating an underutilized area.