Politics & Government

New Design Plans for New Drug Mart Approved

Demolition of the existing Ganley structure and an adjacent apartment building expected to begin by the end of the month.

There have been more than 40 design modifications to the proposed new at the site of the former Ganley Auto Dealership on Detroit Avenue.

On Thursday, after months of back-and-forth, the city’s architectural board of review gave its stamp of approval on the final proposal.

Demolition of the existing Ganley structure and an adjacent apartment building is expected to begin by the end of the month.

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Construction of the new $5 million Drug Mart would begin shortly afterward.

Among the recommendations by the architectural board of review, the company included 200 plants into the landscaping plans; changed the flow of the truck traffic; and added different types of windows.

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Also, the proposed design for an angled entrance at the corner of Cohassett and Detroit avenues was altered at the board’s suggestion.

Those are just a few of the changes.

“I’ve got a list of 40 items,” said Kurt Schmitz of Lakewood-based . “There were major changes. At the end, I think we got more positive feedback from the residents. I think Lakewood’s raised the bar, and I think this is a reflection of that."

Tim Moran, the construction and development manager for Discount Drug Mart, said he hopes to begin construction as soon as the expected month-long demolition wraps up. 

He hopes to have the store open by May 2013.

“We’re thrilled with the final project and we can’t wait to get started,” said Moran. “I think it’s going to be a great addition to the neighborhood.”

After , new plans for a on Detroit Avenue were OK’d by the last week.

The drug store chain will demolish the apartment building that it owns adjacent to the property, but the space won't be used for parking, according to the revised proposal.

The new plan is scaled down to 72 parking spaces — down from 94 originally proposed. 

In addition, Drug Mart pulled its request to take the 13.5 feet from the neighboring home at 1425 Grace Avenue, but the company will take a portion of the northwest corner of that property. 

The plan also includes a 15-feet-wide sidewalk along Cohassett Avenue. The original plans called for a sidewalk that was only 10 feet wide.

“It was a great process with the city,” said Schmitz. “I think the project’s a lot better for it.”


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