By Michael S. Hoey
The Delavan Common Council was presented a concept plan for a business that may fill the former Pick ‘N Save building at 319 S. Wright St. in the former Kmart Plaza at its Nov. 19 meeting. Opinions about the plan to locate a self-storage business there was divided.
Ted Filer, Manager of Star Delavan, LLC, said he purchased the entire plaza in order to develop a Cube Smart self-storage facility in the former grocery store. Filer said the store has been vacant for at least seven years and little to no money had been spent by the previous owners to maintain it. He said his plans will turn a potential eyesore into a successful business that can help the entire plaza survive.
Part of the long-term plan for the plaza is to build a stand-alone building in the parking lot and re-locate the current Dollar Tree store. Filer said that chain has been moving toward stand-alone stores in recent years and building one could keep Dollar Tree from leaving the plaza altogether.
Filer also said about $500,000 has already been spent in replacing the roof on the former grocery store building and installing a new HVAC system.
Read more on the lengthy discussion that ensued and other items discussed including approval of a conditional use permit for Jiffy Lube adjacent to Aldi, Tower Park plans and the 2020 budget and tax levy, in the Nov. 28 Delavan Enterprise.
