Wickes demolition expected to start in spring

MERRILLVILLE | Work to prepare a property for a new Ashley Furniture location is expected to begin in coming months.

Demolition of the former Wickes Furniture building near U.S. 30 and Mississippi Street should start in the spring to make way for the new Ashley building, said Ryan Marovich, an engineer with DVG.

DVG represented Vequity Stonebridge Merrillville LLC, the developer of the property, during last week's Plan Commission workshop.

Plans are to have the Ashley Furniture location open in November, Marovich said.

The Plan Commission is in the midst of considering approving a one-lot subdivision request for the project, and several Merrillville officials have shown support during recent meetings in which the matter was discussed.

The commission already granted preliminary approval of the request last month, and the panel is expected to act on final a final subdivision request during its Jan. 20 meeting.

In addition to bringing Ashley Furniture to a busy corner of town, two restaurants could eventually locate at the site, town officials said.

As the Ashley Furniture project is being planned, Merrillville is looking at projects to address multiple roads in the commercial area in which the store will open.

The towns Redevelopment Commission recently approved an agreement with First Group Engineering, which will complete design and engineer work for the improvements.

One of the road projects sets outs to enhance the flow of traffic on 79th Avenue in the commercial area and improve access to businesses there.

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Wickes demolition expected to start in spring