A redevelopment plan to spruce up the Ten Acres shopping center in West St. Paul got the blessings of the city's Planning Commission last week, thanks to a few changes from the original proposal.
The strip mall owner and developer want to upgrade the center near S. Robert Street and Mendota Road, which includes a Cub Foods, a Burlington Coat Factory and several smaller businesses. The plans include a new gas station/car wash, a liquor store and several spots for casual dining restaurants.
Shopping center owner Jerry's Enterprises Inc. didn't get its request of blanket permission for new businesses to offer on-sale liquor; rather, each business in the redevelopment will have to seek a liquor license individually.
Other changes, made after the owner and developer met with city staff members in the past few weeks, included reducing the number of drive-through lanes from four to three, relocating trash enclosures and eliminating one of the center's signs so the city could place a "gateway sign" there in the future.
The developer also agreed to add speed bumps and create a sidewalk along the east side of Livingston Avenue.
The plan also includes exterior renovations for the current retail space, including the Cub Foods.
The council is likely to discuss most aspects of the development project at its meeting on Monday.
"We walked away feeling pretty good about it," said Jim Hartshorn, director of community development for the city.