Please give to The Capital Times Kids Fund.

Adios to Chi-Chi's as new development at site gets OK

Mike Ivey  —  7/08/2008 10:08 am

It was once a hot spot on the suburban west side, with inexpensive margaritas and bottomless baskets of tortilla chips.

But the Chi-Chi's restaurant that opened in 1979 at 414 Grand Canyon Drive has been vacant since 2004 and is finally facing the wrecking ball.

The Plan Commission Monday night approved a redevelopment of the site that includes a 21,000-square-foot, two-story retail and office building in the back of the existing parking lot and a 12,000-square-foot one-story retail building on the southern edge of the property next to a Honda service center.

The $7.5 million project is from Sara Investment Real Estate and Bouril Design Studio. Developers hope to rent to a variety of tenants, from retail and restaurants to professional offices. No names were released, but a dental firm is already booked on the upper floor of the two-story building.

City planning staff had asked for additional glass on the buildings to break up the windowless brick walls.

The Plan Commission went along with the staff recommendation for additional glass on the lower floor of the two-story building facing the soccer fields across from Memorial High School.

In 2006, developer Curt Brink had received city approval to tear down the former Chi-Chi's and replace it with a two-story office building. But those plans failed to materialize.

Mike Ivey  —  7/08/2008 10:08 am