CLEARLAKE ? Construction is expected to begin on the new Walgreens drugstore in Clearlake within the next two weeks. The store will be located at the corner of State Route 53 and Old Highway 53.
Construction of the site is expected to take approximately seven months. Development of the site will include street widening and improvements. Site preparation required several studies including a sewer study, traffic study and archeological study.
The general contractor on the project is Stevens Hemingway Stevens, of Crocket and the architect is Spear Design Associates, of San Francisco. Development includes construction of a building approximately 14,000 square feet on a 65,000 square foot parcel and around 60 parking spaces.
In addition to significant landscaping, the project will also include street improvements. “We will be widening Old Highway 53, re-striping and adding curb, gutter and sidewalk,” John Glikbarg, of Village Investment Partners, LP, said. Glikbarg further reported that all efforts will be made to keep traffic disruptions to a minimum during construction.
The property includes an additional five acres of land and the developer is reportedly actively marketing the site to other retailers that will compliment the Walgreens store. “We are talking to national and regional retailers, office users and restaurants; however, there are very few prospects who are expanding in this difficult economy,” Glikbarg said.
Walgreens Co. is reportedly the nation”s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2008 sales of $59 billion.
According to Glikbarg, Walgreens was named to “Fortune” magazine”s Most Admired Companies in America for the 15th consecutive year.
When the project is completed it is anticipated that Walgreen will employ between 35 to 40 people in the Clearlake store.
The Clearlake store will offer a photo center, typical health, beauty and cosmetics; and a drive-thru prescription window.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
