Derby Walgreens Plan Back On Track

FILEA pharmacy chain’s proposal to redevelop a Derby retail complex are back on track after the company agreed to change its plans to allay traffic concerns from a neighbor.

Walgreens first announced a plan to move into Red Raider Plaza — after demolishing part of it — late last year. 

The Derby Planning and Zoning Commission approved the project in March. But the next month the owner of the ShopRite complex across Pershing Drive appealed the approval, citing traffic concerns related to the plan.

That appeal was dropped late last month, after Walgreens agreed to modifications.

The biggest concern was over traffic patterns at the five-way intersection currently in place at the southern entrance to the property, where it abuts the old Valley Bowl property.

When the Derby commissioners first approved the project in March, Walgreens and its neighboring property owners were in talks to simplify the road crossing, but hadn’t yet struck a deal.

In August, Walgreens officials presented the Derby P&Z with a settlement they had reached to resolve the issues raised by neighboring property owners.

The planning and zoning commission unanimously approved the settlement in September.

Derby building official Dave Kopjanski said Monday that the changes will mean a simpler intersection at the property’s south end.

“It won’t be a five-way (intersection) any more,” Kopjanski said. “It’s going to be a traditional four-way intersection.”

Walgreens made a couple of other minor changes to the plan, but they won’t affect the overall development of the property, Kopjanski said.

“It’s sort of a complicated construction plan that they have,” he said. “Only part of the XPect building will be demolished. All of the old brick portion of the complex will be razed, but not before the tenants there are relocated into new space that’s going to be developed.”

The company has not yet sought permits for the work from City Hall, he said.

Larry Brozek, Walgreens’ director of real estate development, said Monday that the company plans on moving forward, but that he couldn’t offer further details.

“I think we’re almost there,” Brozek said. “My understanding is that it’s pretty much resolved, it’s just a matter of dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.”

He said he hoped to have more concrete details about the development soon, perhaps as early as next week.

XPect Discounts closed in April.

A message was left Monday with Eugene Micci, the lawyer who filed the appeal on behalf of the owners of the ShopRite plaza.

Keep local reporting alive. Donate.ValleyIndy.org