Island Plaza Remodel Approaching Completion

It has been two years since Hendricks Commercial Properties Group, the owners of the Island Plaza, began their long journey towards the renovation of the property, which many see as a “gateway” to the island and sorely in need of a facelift. The property sits at the busy intersection at the southwest side of Bald Eagle Drive and Collier Boulevard.

Hendricks originally purchased the property in 2013 and had plans to enter into a joint development agreement with an adjoining property but quickly ran into opposition by neighboring property owners and businesses. This eventually caused them to withdraw their proposal and rethink their strategies going forward.

In March of 2016 Hendricks and its representatives reached back out to the city and requested a scaled back proposal, which involved the review of a Site Improvement Plan, and which was eventually approved by both the Planning Board and the City Council.

As part of those negotiation the then city manager struck a deal with Hendricks Properties to add some badly needed additional parking along Herb Savage Way. That roadway runs behind the Island Plaza and allows for additional employee and public parking in that area. As part of that agreement Hendricks agreed to maintain that improvement.

In addition to the parking improvements, a lighted walkway from the rear of the building is to be enhanced for access to the retail area of the plaza.

The company would also be doing the following improvements:

Clean up the alleyway between their building and that of Progressive Auto Storage and providing additional parking in that area, which would also help to improve access for public safety personnel.

Updating the façade on the building.

The addition of a pedestrian node at the Collier/Bald Eagle intersection.

Upgrades to landscaping.

Improvements to site lighting and security surveillance.

The addition of an architectural clock tower feature on the building.

The façade at the rear of the building would be updated.

When the project was started in May of 2017 it was estimated to last for 6-7 months, but has lasted now for close to 11 months due to some additional upgrades and Hurricane Irma.