The venture has proposed to build a 132,866-sf Target, about 138units of residential and more than nine other retailers, includinga bank. The project fits in with the city's desire to redevelop the27-acre property, which now includes retailers and homes, says cityadministrator George Liyeos.

About 10 years ago, a 40-acre Wal-Mart project for the cornerwas so opposed that some aldermen lost their seats for defendingit, Liyeos says. The residents do prefer a Target for the property."We're a union town, and Wal-Mart doesn't have the best unionreputation," the administrator tells GlobeSt.com.

Most recently, developer Novus Cos. had proposed a mixed-useproject on the property with a $18 million TIF. However, after morethan a year, the company came back to the city asking for moremoney, and had no tenant to speak of, Liyeos says.The city put theproperty back out for bids, and the Miller-Hutkin venture made itsproposal. Target has not signed a lease, but has agreed to a letterof intent. David Hutkin, a partner in the family-owned company,refused to comment on the project when called by GlobeSt.com.