DOWNTOWN OXFORD ? Soon the giant vacant space filled with debris, rubble and weeds next to Centennial Park could be filled with construction workers.
The Orion-based Promark Properties, which owns the lot bordering the park on the north side, applied for a building permit from the Village of Oxford Aug. 24.
Local businesses such as Parkside Dairy, Pat’s Place restaurant and Kona Cafe used to occupy the space until the building which housed them was demolished late last year to make way for the new development.
Plans for the site call for construction of a two-story, 13,610-square-foot, L-shaped building with mixed uses.
According to owner and contractor Johnny Gjokaj, the ground floor will house a restaurant, ice cream parlor and three retail stores.
‘We have several prospects (for the restaurant) right now,? Gjokaj said. ‘We haven’t really finalized it.?
Gjokaj said he has a potential tenant who’s ‘very interested? in opening a restaurant serving ‘continental cuisine.?
As for the ice cream parlor, Gjokaj said, ‘That’s definitely one of the things that is going in there,? however, he cannot reveal the name at this time.
‘I know for a fact there will be an ice cream parlor in there,? he said.
The second floor will be utilized as office space although Gjokaj said at this point he’s not secured any tenants.
Gjokaj said he expects to start construction ‘probably within two weeks? of the building permit’s approval. He estimated it will take six to eight months to construct the building’s shell.
‘With winter creeping up here, we’re hoping to get on there as quick as we can to get the footings (in) and the structural (work) going,? Gjokaj said.