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Politics & Government

Mentor Planning Commission OKs Mall's Changes

Preliminary site plans for construction of new manufacturing and office building approved

Mentor Planning Commission unanimously approved changes to the reimaging of Great Lakes Mall's east entrance to Sears and its west entrance next to Fuji Japan Steakhouse.

Although the commission in March approved , the mall's plans for its doorways and accompanying signage have since changed, so it required a new vote from the commission at its Thursday meeting at Mentor City Hall.

The mall has already started by replacing the flooring in the concourse. Internal changes don't require a vote from the Planning Commission.

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The mall's multimillion-dollar renovation includes:

  • changing the mall's color scheme to warmer, earthier tones
  • making the columns slimmer to improve shoppers' line of sight
  • replacing the flooring with ceramic tile and carpeting
  • renovating the food court with new lighting and banquet seating.

The Planning Commission also approved a preliminary site plan for the construction of a 24,360-square-foot manufacturing and office building at 6280 Tin Man Road, off Tyler Boulevard.

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The new building will house the operations of Kaeper Machine Inc., which machines a variety of industrial products. The manufacturer operates from a 10,000-square-foot facility at 8680 Twinbrook Road.

“You see some activity taking place in terms of companies buying existing buildings,” said Ron Traub, Mentor’s economic and community development director. “But insofar as the construction of manufacturing facilities, that portion of the (economic) recovery is certainly far from being in full swing. So it is encouraging to see a project of this type occurring here in the city.”

Founded by Kye Hwang in 1997, Kaeper Machine has eight employees.

In other action, the Planning Commission also approved a request by James Lassiter to subdivide a 2.05-acre  into two residential lots at 6025 Collins Road.

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