Glen Ellyn's Market Plaza to get facelift

Market Plaza along Roosevelt Road in Glen Ellyn will soon get a facelift.

Glen Ellyn leaders approved Ramco Gershenson Properties Trust's final renovation plans for the shopping plaza, and Vice President Laith Hermiz said work should begin within 30 days.

The plaza, located on the south side of Roosevelt Road between Park Boulevard and Main Street, is owned by Ramco Gershenson. The renovations should take about nine months to complete, and officials anticipate the fresh new plaza will be ready to go by summer 2009.

Redevelopment of the 171,000-square-foot complex will include new fronts on the stores, some of which include 7-Eleven, Panera Bread, Blockbuster Video, GNC, Dollar Tree and the Staples' future spot, located on the west end of the center. So far, Jewel-Osco is the only store not included in the project. The parking lot of the entire center also will be redone.

Other features include parking lot islands and landscaping.

The total cost of the project was not available Monday night.

"It's time for a renovation, and it is part of our long-term commitment to our tenants," Hermiz said. "It's important to us."

Trustee Tim Armstrong appreciated the owners' decision to upgrade the shopping center.

"I would really like to thank the owners for this substantial investment in this piece of property in the economic position that we're in," he said. "It's a huge expense, and we really appreciate it."

The shopping center originally sprouted in 1959 when Jewel-Osco opened. Since then, there have been many expansions and renovations. Ramco purchased the property last November.

Owners are excited to begin the project.

"We want to upgrade this center and maximize the property for the tenants," Hermiz said. "It's a pivotal corner in the community, and Roosevelt Road is one of the main retail corridors in Glen Ellyn."