Update on new construction - 85th St./37th Ave. (2018)

[Shelby2]

Looks like demolition has started on the half block near 85th St. and 37th Ave. The rendering posted on the outside of the former florist shop has a Starbucks as the ground floor tenant. I wonder if renderings require accuracy about the tenants or if the person doing the rendering can just throw in any retail establishment into the drawing.

The second photo was taken from 85th St. towards the back of the building, facing west.

[wk067781]

excited to use the SB's restrooms

[Shelby2]

I haven't noticed any progress whatsoever at this location. I wonder what is going on! The only new thing is "no trespassing" signs at all the former entrances.

[buzz]

Is this also being fueled by Chinese money like the last job?

[Shelby2]

I'm really confused about the status of this project. There's this new sign that just popped up on one of the empty storefronts. I suppose it could be someone just taking the opportunity to post their unrelated sign in a place where people will see it while walking by, or it could be someone actually advertising that property for rent. In any case, there is no sign of any progress on this block. It just looks derelict, and has for quite some time.

[Liz]

Anybody know anything about this?  I'm concerned we'll have one of those mysterious fires there soon.

[dssjh]

Anybody know anything about this?  I'm concerned we'll have one of those mysterious fires there soon.

it's already vacant, so i don't know that there's any upside to DIY arson, but i'm not an expert by any means. an update would definitely be welcome, though.

[Shelby2]

Something looked a little different about this place last time I passed by a few days ago-- I think one of the doors was wide open where it had previously been closed up. I'm not sure if that's a good sign or a bad sign.

[Liz]

I haven't noticed any change.  I worry that if it burns down they will try to build something bigger.

[Shelby2]

These signs went up recently. Does this mean all the plans from before have been scrapped?

[JH3525]

If construction of the 6 story building has been cancelled, you can well imagine the sigh of relief from owners at Roosevelt Terrace (3550 85 St) that would have been effected. 

[CaptainFlannel]

^^my guess would be they are seeking business tenants for the first floor in advance of construction beginning.

[Shelby2]

^^my guess would be they are seeking business tenants for the first floor in advance of construction beginning.

That makes sense, and is a relief. I'm getting tired of passing by a derelict building with rotting wood from all the standing water in there. What has it been -- a couple of years?

[CaptainFlannel]

^there were commercial tenants in there until...maybe a little over a year ago? I used to stop in at the USPS Retailer location there occasionally if I needed to mail a package, and I don't think it's been two or more years since they had to shut down. I could be wrong though.

I've been pretty surprised at how slow progress has been going, with seemingly nothing happening in months. I know there was a lot of opposition to the project from shareholders in surrounding coops, but the developer just kept at it to get approval. You'd think they'd be revving to build. I wonder what the hold up is?

[Shelby2]

I found this article that says the last store closed in Jan. 2018, so it's been about a year and 4 months.