Hanover Park breaks ground on Hanover Square shopping mall renovations

Village staff and representatives from Tobin Development broke ground Thursday evening on Hanover Square shopping mall renovations that were originally projected to be completed by the end of summer 2015.

"This is really a culmination of a number of years now of the village working to establish this shopping center as a viable component of the community," Mayor Rod Craig said.

The property manager and leasing agent NAI Hiffman and community members also were part of the group celebrating the start of construction with a groundbreaking ceremony and refreshments in the shopping center's parking lot.

Portions of the parking lot have already been repaved.

"We wanted to do that before the asphalt plants close for the year," said Community and Economic Development Director Shubhra Govind.

The village bought the shopping mall for $2.8 million in 2011 and officials hope to turn a profit on the property after renovations are complete in 12 to 18 months.

Renovations include a new facade for the building, an updated interior for future tenant Gymkhana and a rebuilt parking lot.

While the village hopes renovations will help attract potential tenants, Govind says there's still about 15,000 square feet up for grabs in the shopping center.