AURORA | The day former City Councilwoman Molly Markert has been waiting for is now on the calendar.
Koelbel and Company and Mile High Development — the developers of the Regatta Plaza site for the Nine Mile Station Urban Renewal Area — announced Tuesday that demolition work will begin May 31.
“This is the first step in the redevelopment process and is a major milestone for everyone who has been working on this site for over 10 years,” said Andrea Amonick, manager of the Aurora Urban Renewal Authority, in a news release. “Parts of this shopping center have been a blight on the area for over a decade and we are thrilled to have the support of the Mayor, the Council, and the neighborhood with the development effort.”
Markert, who previously served as councilwoman in Ward IV where Regatta Plaza is located, has said she hopes to drive one of the rigs aiding in the demolition work. Whether that dream comes true or not, the public will be able to watch as work begins during a watch party slated to begin at 1:30 p.m. May 31. Attendees are asked to access the watch party area through the construction access gate east of the Firestone at South Peoria Street and East Dartmouth Avenue. The party is expected to last one hour.
“It’s thrilling to be able to move this project forward,” said George Thorn, President of Mile High Development, in the release. “With demolition underway, it brings us that much closer to delivering a project that will be a source of pride for Aurora as it continues its modern and dynamic growth.”