Owned by Simborg Development, the 72-acre building is being planned to be developed into a mixed-use centre comprising retail shops, restaurants, commercial offices and medical amenities. The first facility will include DaVita Dialysis Centre which will be housed in the far northeast corner.
Plans for the project have already been presented to a joint meeting of the Munster Town Council, Redevelopment Commission, the Economic Development Commission and the Munster Plan Commission in early April 2011. It includes demolition of the eastern section of the south warehouse which will eliminate 200,000 square feet of that building and 34,000 square feet of former office space.
Demolition is scheduled to start in early 2011, after which the place will be graded and sodded. The current northern warehouse will be revamped with a high-tech image for the loading docks and office space, creating 700,000 square feet of warehousing space.
Work also involves refurbishment of the remaining exteriors along with improvement work on the south office building and northwest section of the building. Plans have also been taken to develop a new three-storey extended-stay hotel in the building which is expected to start construction soon.
The entire structure’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems will be upgraded with the building to be equipped with new water mains and hydrants and efficient gas-fired air exchange. This is expected to reduce heating and cooling costs by 60%. New internal roads and parking fields will also be built with installation of new signage.
Bids have already been issued for the demolition process. Munster’s Redevelopment Commission will issue a TIF bond to fund the renovation. Construction of the extended stay hotel is scheduled to begin in late 2011.
