A groundbreaking ceremony was held recently for the construction of a new 12,320-square-foot multi-tenant retail building at 6119 East Ave. in Hodgkins. Principle Construction Corp. was selected by the building owner, Bear Real Estate, to construct the build-to-suit facility.
Ben’s Rentals & Sales will be the anchor tenant. The company rents construction equipment, party equipment, landscaping tools, power tools and other home improvement implements to individuals and businesses. It also sells used equipment. The site will be a new store for the chain, which was founded in Chicago in 1967.
As many as three other retail spaces will be available for lease in the retail facility, which will be expandable to 19,940 square feet. The new building will be a part of a redevelopment effort and TIF district in west suburban Hodgkins along East Avenue. The property combines several lots on which buildings had fallen into disrepair. The village performed significant grading and utility improvements to make the site attractive to new businesses, hoping to gentrify the area.
“We are looking forward to redeveloping this site and improving the image of East Avenue,” said Mark Augustyn, chief operating officer of Principle Construction Corp. “This new retail building will continue the strong retail redevelopment of the area and further the advances Hodgkins is making on being a good place to do business.”
Timothy Morgan and Associates will provide architectural services for the project. Principle’s Ken Lattanzi will be the project manager and Doug Ingram will be the superintendent. Completion is scheduled for September 2014.