Multimillion-Dollar Lakewood Plaza Project Unveiled

It’s been a few years in the making, but Lakewood Plaza — commonly known as the Drug Mart Plaza — is getting quite a makeover on Detroit Avenue.

Officials from the city and from developer Levey and Company gathered at the plaza on Tuesday to unveil the nearly $3 million plans.

An extensive renovation — already under way — is expected to wrap up by next summer.

 will be the anchor tenant in the new space — and will expand it size by 30 percent, moving into some of the space formerly occupied by the Sakura Japanese Restaurant.

The Detroit Avenue location also attracted a big-name tenant, when Quaker Steak and Lube signed a lease in June to open a 5,500-square-foot restaurant in east end of the renovated plaza.

The plaza will also retain  and RadioShack, however  has not committed to staying.

The plans have been several years in the making.

Last year, developer Giltz and Associates presented the city its architectural blueprint. The city’s Architectural Board of Review made a few changes to better suit the plaza’s location — sandwiched between Lakewood landmarks.

“The idea was to update it from its 1960s look that is today,” said Dru Siley, the city’s director of planning and development, in June. 

“Any new development in the city is going to have highest-quality designs. It’s not just the front of the building — it’s all four sides.”

The plans haven't changed much since June.

The new façade will be made of brick, with a precast concrete and glass tower — tentatively planned to be built in the center of the plaza.

The angled parking lot in the front of the building on Detroit Avenue is making way for a 17-foot-wide public sidewalk — complete with landscaping.

The rear parking lot — in addition to getting a fresh layer of pavement — will also have some changes. The spots will switch from east/west to north/south to allow easier access.