Movie complex plan tabled until December

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BY STEVE ZABROSKI
Times Correspondent | Tuesday, October 21, 2008 | (6 comment(s))

HAMMOND | Unresolved issues concerning a developer's plan to build a new retail complex and multiscreen movie house on the city's far south side will delay any approval of the project until December.

Scheduled discussions between George Markopoulos -- who wants to renovate the former Interstate Plaza in the 7800 block of Indianapolis Boulevard -- and city planning staff haven't yet taken place, and the Plan Commission on Monday night gave the developer two more months to straighten things out.

"I think we're pretty close," said Nicholas Chulos, an attorney with the Schererville law firm Krieg DeVault, which represents Markopoulos' Blue Light Holdings, LLC, owner of the 25-acre property just south of the Borman Expressway.

The proposal calls for demolition of the long-vacant former Builders Square store at the site, remodeling of the 110,000-square-foot former Kmart into mixed retail space and the construction of at least three restaurants along with a 12-screen cinema.

But the site plan for the project includes a private street not owned by Blue Light, and would require a waiver or variance from the commission regarding access for existing adjacent properties and any proposed new construction.

Commissioners gave their preliminary approval for the development in July, contingent on the resolution of several concerns and outstanding issues raised by city planning staff.

"There are still numerous site plan issues," City Planner Brian Poland said Monday. "Either commissioners will grant the waiver with the conditions that staff recommends, or they don't grant the waiver."

If the developer doesn't agree with the Plan Commission's decision, their next option likely would be to take the matter to Lake County Superior Court, Poland said.

"We're ready to meet any time," Chulos said. "It behooves all of us to get everyone to the table and work out what we can."

Markopoulos, whose Northbrook, Ill.,-based Praedium Development Corp. owns the former Woodmar Mall property two miles north of the site, has estimated the new complex would involve $20 million to $23 million in investment and create as many as 150 permanent full-time jobs.

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funny stuff wrote on Oct 31, 2008 8:33 PM:

" i have spoken with MANY people that said they can't believe that the Mall is gone and how could they do that. and i ask when was the last time you were there or shopped there. I would hear a number between 3-8 yrs so if you or your community didn't support it by shopping there what do you expect? "

What wrote on Oct 21, 2008 9:13 PM:

" What is Hammond thinking - that guy couldn't complete one project and they are going to let him start another one. Beside look at all the local mini malls that have businesses closing. and Schererville can't even get one of theirs started. Does this guy have proposed business that will definitely buy space in this mall? Their best bet would be to have Carsons move it that spot and let that guy keep his deserted island. The theatre isn't needed either there are not enough people using the ones in the area now. "

Kevin wrote on Oct 21, 2008 2:05 PM:

" Glad to see I'm not the only upset with this guys demolition of a historic shopping mall. Hammond had no idea what they had in their midst with Woodmar Shopping Mall. The place only lacked responsible management. I can't understand why the guy is hellbent to tear down a 22 year old,large former bigbox store and yet keep an aged 40 or more year old, low ceilinged structure like the old Kmart? Hewy I got news for you. There are about a dozen empty theators in Cal City at River Oaks. Yeah, your new theators will be filled. If anything the city of Hammond should be taking the guy to court for failure to complete the Woodmar project. Certainly not continuing to listen to him. "

Geezer wrote on Oct 21, 2008 10:25 AM:

" Deja vu all over again.
This is the guy/firm that has yet to finish "pie in the sky" Woodmar renovation/ shopping compex.
Do we need another pile of rubble or for that matter another cine complex/shopping mall? "

NO wrote on Oct 21, 2008 10:03 AM:

" I say no until Markopoulos takes care of the Woodmar Issues. "

G Davis wrote on Oct 21, 2008 9:55 AM:

" 150 permanent Full time Jobs? Isn't that what we heard about Cabelas? And where did that get the 200 People that were thrown away after 3 Months? I suppose the City is giving all these Tax breaks even after they break their agreement? Well at least He is Building in the right place.They can affored The best Flood Insurance so this is going to be nothing but a Tax write off in the end with 10 people working there part time! "

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