ZION, IL-The City of Zion is relocating its fire station at 2800 Sheridan Rd. and is planning to have a mixed-use development constructed in its place. The proposed development will have 23,000 sf of ground-floor retail space, 42,000 sf of office condominium space and 32,000 sf of residential or hotel space. The estimated cost of the project is between $7 million and $9 million, says Dave Block, architect with Terra Architects, based in Libertyville, IL. Terra Architects, along with Michael Franks LLC, based in Palatine, IL, were hired by the city to conduct a study for the development, which is expected to be completed by the middle of next month.

The city's fire station at the site used to be a grocery store about 40 years ago, says city clerk Judy Mackey. The city decided it was more cost effective to construct a new station as opposed to renovate existing building, Mackey says. A five-story building is proposed to be constructed on the 1.5-acre site, Block says. Terra will do concept drawings, estimate construction cost, do business plans and conduct a market study as part of the development study, Block says. Michael Franks LLC are “providing the financial arm for the project” and will do part of the marketing study, Block says.

The city is in negotiations with a developer to buy the land and develop the project, Mackey says. Mackey would not disclose the cost for the sale of the land or the developer.

Block confirmed that Terra is in negotiations to acquire the land. Construction could start as early as November 2008 and construction on the project would likely take 1.5 years to complete he says.

The city has a few other retail projects ongoing, including a new Wal-Mart at Route 173 and Kenosha Road, and Market Square, a mixed-used project planned for the entire 2700 block of Sheridan Road in Downtown Zion. Featuring a 70-room flagship hotel, restaurant, retail and private condominiums, the project is set to break ground in November.