Demolition work marks progress on two Naperville projects

Demolition companies make way for two new developments in Naperville.

On East Chicago Avenue, the former Butera supermarket has been demolished, clearing the way for Ohio grocer Heinen’s to open its fifth Illinois location. At the intersection of Route 59 and Aurora Avenue, crews are busy demolishing a vacant shopping center to make way for a development called Block 59, which will feature several new restaurants.

Both projects are located in two business districts created by the city to encourage redevelopment of those areas. In the two districts, customers are charged an additional 1% sales tax, which is then passed back to the developers to fund the infrastructure costs of the projects.

Block 59

The former Westridge Court and Heritage Square shopping centers along Route 59 between Aurora and Jefferson Avenues are being demolished to make way for the Block 59 development, proposed by Brixmor Property Group.

The shopping centers will be replaced by a regional dining and entertainment center. Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli said committed tenants include Shake Shack, Stan’s Donuts, First Watch, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Cheesecake Factory, Yard House, Velvet Taco, FreshFin Poké, Crisp & Green and Piccolo Buco by Cooper’s Hawk.

“The pre-leasing is going exceptionally well,” said Wehrli.

Wehrli said the project is evidence of the city’s appeal and continued success in the hospitality industry. He noted that Naperville ranks second only to Chicago in revenue generated by restaurants and bars, according to a report released in May by retail experts Melaniphy & Associates.

The Naperville City Council created a business district and approved a 1% sales tax for the Block 59 project in the Heritage Square Shopping Center.
Thanks to Brixmor Property Group

“This is an exciting new investment to keep us at the top of that list,” Wehrli said of the Block 59 project.

The project covers about 17 acres on the northeast corner of Route 59 and Aurora Avenue. In addition to the new restaurants, the project includes an open community space that can be used for gatherings or special events, said Bill Novak, Naperville’s director of transportation, engineering and development.

“The city is excited about redeveloping this area,” Novak said.

Demolition work is expected to be completed later this year, Novak said, adding that infrastructure work could begin this year. Brixmor expects restaurants to open in 2025, Wehrli said.

Heinen’s grocery store

The 7.3-acre parcel on the southeast corner of East Chicago Avenue and Olesen Drive is the site for the suburbs’ newest Heinen’s supermarket.

The Ohio-based, family-owned grocer is expected to go before the City Council in August for final approval of the plan. The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission is recommending approval.

Once the City Council approves the plans, Heinen’s expects to begin construction. The new store is expected to open next summer, a Heinen’s official said after the Planning and Zoning Commission hearing in June.

Crews have already demolished the Eagle Crest Plaza, which was anchored by the Butera store. Heinen’s plans to build its new store on the west side of the property, maintaining the tradition of a grocery store at that location.

“As long as I can remember, there’s been a grocery store on that particular lot,” Wehrli said. “We’re really excited about Heinen’s … it’s got a great reputation.”

Wehrli, who described Heinen’s as an “upscale supermarket,” praised the company’s commitment to Naperville and its plans to build a new store on the site.

Part of the plans includes raising the site by about 2 to 3 feet and building a new retention pond to address chronic flooding at the site. Improvements to address drainage at the site are expected to cost about $2 million, which would be funded by the additional 1% sales tax.

Heinen addressed several homeowner concerns about the project by relocating a loading dock, removing a construction sign, maintaining a six-foot berm on the property and moving the building further south on the property.