The Block 59 Revolution: Tears Down Old, Builds New in Naperville

As crews wrap up demolition on the former Heritage Square shopping center, the anticipation for Block 59's grand opening is building. This $53 million, 91,000-square-foot entertainment complex promises a culinary revolution, bringing in high-profile restaurants like Yard House, Ruth's Chris Steak House, and Cheesecake Factory. But what's really behind the development, and what can we expect from this newcomers' paradise? Let's start with the highlights: demolition is almost complete, and building pads for the incoming tenants, including Stan's Donuts and Shake Shack, are taking shape. Dippolito, the project's vice president, is confident that these two businesses will be the first to open, with a spring launch on the horizon. As for the rest of the complex, the plan is to have a grand opening by September or October 2025. But what about the 20% of the development still left to be leased? Has the demand been strong? "Really strong," Dippolito assures us. As of this week, 80% of the spaces are already spoken for, with just a handful of spots remaining. What might be the reasons behind this enthusiasm? Is it the promise of "the ultimate dining and entertainment experience"? Or is it something more? What if this assumption is wrong? What might the author have missed? Are there potential downsides to this development that we should consider? Let's take a closer look.As the construction unfolds, it's clear that this project has been a long time coming. Brixmor, the development company, has been reimagining the shopping center for six years, facing "a lot of twists and turns" along the way. But what about the city's involvement? The Naperville City Council approved redevelopment plans in March 2023, and established a business district to help fund infrastructure improvements. If this district is meant to fund public works, what exactly does this mean for local residents? The district, which places an added 1% tax on sales made within its boundaries, kicked in starting July 2023. But what about the conditions that must be met before Brixmor receives any district tax funds? These include completing 50,000 square feet of site and public improvements, securing a certificate of occupancy for at least one building, and opening the public event space. With Novack, the director of Naperville's Transportation, Engineering, and Development department, predicting it won't be met until 2025, what are the implications for the city's budget? Meanwhile, Dippolito encourages community members to keep an eye on Brixmor's new Block 59 website, which promises to be updated regularly as the project progresses. What will we see on this site? A behind-the-scenes look at the construction process? Sneak peeks of the new tenants? Or something more?