Citywalk on Euclid Inches Forward, Ups Retail Space to 30,000 Square Feet, Seeks Grocery

The 1.65 acres of vacant land at Euclid and West Pine in the city's Central West End neighborhood continues to inch toward development. The latest news is rather mundane, but sheds light on some important changes. The city's planning agency has recommended approval of a zoning change to "H" Area Commercial District, from a mixed "H" and "E" Multi-Family District. Why? Developer Bruce Mills is now proposing additional commercial space, totaling more than 30,000 sq ft., up from just 9,000 sq ft in 2009.

The well-worn rumor is that the developer was seeking a Whole Foods Market for the space. The grocery retailer has been focused on introducing smaller stores of 35,000-50,000 sq ft in more urban locations. The nearest existing store at Brentwood Square is approximately 35,000 square feet. The hold up on any announcement may be that the City Walk retail space spans two stories, a rare model for Whole Foods. That may leave an opening for a Trader Joe's, as the specialty grocery chain's stores average 8,000-12,000 sq ft. The retail space is described in planning documents as "12,000 sq ft of grocery space on level one & 18,000 sq ft of related grocery space on the lower level".

{rendering of "Citywalk on Euclid" from 2009 proposal appears to reflect current design}