The expansion for The Shoppes at Fox River received final approval by the Waukesha Common Council on Tuesday night.
Six new buildings will be added to the site at 1180 W. Sunset Drive, located on the west side of Sunset Drive on the corner of Chapman and Spring City drives.
One of the tenants will be a 65,000-square-foot building attached to Hobby Lobby on the east side.
Another is a 91,000-square-foot building for five tenants. The other four buildings on the property total 31,000 square feet.
Two of these buildings will include a drive-through option, according to the development plans.
Edward Wizner, the vice president of development/redevelopment for Ramco Gershenson Properties Trust, has previously said "a large sporting goods store" was an interested potential tenant for the shopping center. He also said a well known national restaurant has shown interest.
Before the council gave the site plan its final approval, Wizner said his team is ready to construct "almost immediately," assuming it gets the green light from the Sign Review Board.
That board just has to approve the changes for new entrance signs at the shopping center. Under Ramco's proposal, new signs would be constructed on the east and west side of the site, replacing the current ones, and adding an additional sign in the center of the property.
The council’s approval was also conditional on the developer and city’s Department of Public Works staff working toward a solution to “some issues” related to Sunset Drive.
Wizner said the site will produce $500,000 annually in property taxes, which he added is “over and above what's coming off the development currently."
The cost of the expansion, which Ramco is paying for, is $25 million.
The city's Plan Commission had unanimously approved the site plan at its last meeting.
The developers are also adding more green space to the site.
“It will create additional pedestrian-friendly, bicycle-friendly areas, meeting areas for employees and customers,” Wizner said. “It will also connect the pathways to Fox River Park and back for bicycles and pedestrians.”
The additional buildings will join a growing shopping center, which includes Target, Pick 'n Save, TJ Maxx, many national food chains and retail options, such as Buffalo Wild Wings, Noodles & Company, Maurices, Charming Charlie, Rue 21, among others. Most recently, Hobby Lobby opened this spring.
"We've really enjoyed the process, getting to know everyone (in the city) and hope that relationship will continue and strengthen," Wizner said.