The conversion of the Shoppes at Northway into an upgraded retail development, The Block Northway, is underway on McKnight Road in Ross.
Construction is nearly complete on a building for PetSmart on the north end of what was the region’s first indoor shopping area, Northway Mall.
When the new building is done, PetSmart will move from the first floor of the former mall facing McKnight to the upper side facing the opposite direction with an entrance next to Marshall’s.
Dominic Rickert, Ross director of community development and chief inspector/building code official, said LRC Realty is working on grading, storm water and parking improvements to the site.
The focus of the work is moving PetSmart and renovating Marshall’s.
“In my mind, I look at the whole parcel divided in half — half where Costco was going to go and half the existing mall,” he said.
A small Costco had been proposed for land behind the mall, but the proposal was withdrawn because they could not make the site work.
Mr. Rickert said LRC is “pretty close to meeting all the preliminary requirements” for renovating the mall.
The Ross zoning hearing board in June approved five variances for the development and allowed a temporary sign on McKnight, proclaiming “We got our mojo back.”
Two of the variances allow LRC to have up to four outparcels on a zoning lot and eliminate a side yard setback between buildings. Those measures will help the developer attract more tenants.
In addition to keeping tenants Marshall’s, PetSmart and Fox and Hound, The Block Northway has attracted the region’s first Nordstrom Rack.
Sandy Trozzo, freelance writer: suburbanliving@post-gazette.com.
First Published: August 21, 2015, 4:00 a.m.
