The first phase of the Bennett’s Corners development has begun, which will be called The Shops at South Market. The new mixed use development will be the draw to the Bennett’s Corners area. Bennett’s Corners is the area where North Royalton meets Strongsville, Brunswick, Hinckley. The multi-city intersection has had development in the past years, but never on the North Royalton portion of the area.
The development is proposed for the northeast corner of Bennett’s Corners, located at West 130 Street and Boston Road. The 13-acre mixed use development proposes restaurants and two national chains. The plan shows six buildings that total about 80,000 square feet of retail, office and residential space. The development, proposed at the March 4 Planning Commission meeting, is being planned by Baumann Enterprises Incorporated., a Garfield Heights demolition, recycling and environmental services firm. Developer Bill Baumann, a long-time North Royalton resident, is working with Wolf Maison Architecture + Design and Rust Belt Development.
The plan includes two, one-story buildings for national tenants, of about 3,500-4,000 square feet, which will flank an entrance off of West 130 Street, between Bennett and Boston Roads. Leading into the development in the center, behind the two buildings will be one three-story building, featuring about 10,000 square feet on each floor. The first would serve as retail space and the top two floors would serve as office space. Two, two-story buildings would also have about 10,000 square feet on each floor, with the first floor housing retail and the second floor serving as office space. There would be a one-story building with about 10,000 square feet of retail space. On the eastern portion of the property, with ingress/egress to Boston Road, would be 2.3 acres for about 12 single family town homes.
In the site approval application, Baumann noted that, “the aim is higher-end destination tenants within a traditional-style design. We have planned an outdoor court and intend for a wet retention pond to be a vibrant, natural example of indigenous vegetation.” Mayor Bob Stefanik is pleased with the development proposed, and that Baumann has proposed it. “He is born and raised here and is raising his family here. He’s been a part of this community for a long time,” Stefanik said.
According to North Royalton Economic Development Director Tom Jordan, Baumann plans to develop the project in phases, with the six main buildings first, then the residential part of the development after that. The timeline for construction is dependent upon the securing of tenants for the project. “It will be a real enhancement to that part of the city.”
The first phase of the project is now underway and is being split into two parts. The first part involves the building of a Speedway Café at the northeast corner of West 130 Street and Boston Roads and a main drive that will be located directly north of that. The building was originally proposed to be 3,936 square feet, but the site plan was recently upgraded to 4,600 square feet, according to North Royalton Building Commissioner, Dan Kulchytsky. He said that under Planning Commission stipulations, the building will not look like a typical Speedway, that it is to be built in keeping with the residential area. The building will be all masonry with dormers and a tan canopy. It will offer gasoline, food and retail amenities, said Kulchytsky. Site work for the entire property is also taking place now, with grading, prep work and stormwater work being done. The second portion of phase one will be a one story, 6,000 square foot retail building that will be located at the southeast corner of West 130 and Bennett Road. To date, the construction documents have not been received.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer