Drug Mart is a Go, and So is Upscale Subdivision

The city Planning Commission has given the go-ahead for Discount Drug Mart to renovate and expand the former Vigliucci's Bi-Rite at the corner of Prospect and Royalton roads.

The commission also gave a thumbs-up to Cedar Creek Estates, a proposed 12-lot development of luxury homes on large, wooded lots off Prospect Road.

That plan must still garner approval from City Council before work can start.

But interior work is already under way on the new Drug Mart, which is seeking to locate a 28,000-square-foot store in the Royalville Plaza. 

 The plans call for adding about 12,000 square feet to the front of the building, including a drive-through pharmacy. Stores in the plaza have already started shuffling locations -- has moved so that Drug Mart can use its previous space and a hair salon in an outbuilding will move into the plaza.

The outbuildings on the site are to be razed to create more parking.

Discount Drug Mart is expected to open this summer.

If approved by City Council, work on the exclusive Cedar Creek will start in March, according to developer Ed Lechler.

Lechler said the development will be unique in that it will offer very private wooded lots and large houses, including some estate homes.

The 12 lots will range in size from 3/4-acre to 1.5 acres. "We're leaving a lot of the trees," Lechler said.

 The development will be located about 500 feet north of Breckenridge Lane and accessed by a street that will probably be called Cedar Creek Drive.

Lechler said he hopes to start clearing land in March  and constructing homes in late summer. Several of the lots have already been sold, he said.

He has not contracted with a builder, but will instead allow owners to bring their own builders, as long as they meet the subdivision's criteria.

He said people are moving out of Strongsville because these types of lots are not currently available here.