But shoppers still hustle across the cracked parking lot at U.S. 1 and Walton Road, going to the store and its neighbor, Beall's Outlet. Most don't even spare a glance at the dirty yellow backhoe sitting next to a growing pile of concrete and tile next to the deserted storefront that once housed Keiser College.
LEB Demolition is knocking down buildings and scraping out asphalt and utility lines around open businesses. Beall's Outlet and Dollar General, sitting on the fringes of the shopping center, have long-term leases and the Department of Motor Vehicles — settled in the heart of the plaza — will stay open until February. On Saturdays and Tuesdays, a green market sets up shop on what's left of the parking lot.
Just south of the site is Midport II, a condominium complex where homes overlook the 70-acre site that slowly is being scraped clean. One resident, Cheryl Snow, has complained to city officials about noise and smells from the construction.
"I didn't think I'd be up at 7 a.m. in the morning, on the weekend," said Snow, who works at the St. Lucie Nuclear Plant. "If I can't sleep, I don't know if I'll be safe to drive on the road, or even to work."
Construction crews are working within city regulations, however, leaving Snow few options for relief. Demolition and construction is expected to last for several years, as City Center is built in phases. The city is moving as fast as it can, officials said.
"Get 'er done," said Vice Mayor Jack Kelly, who represents the area. "That's all I'm hearing (from residents). Get 'er done."
Demolition, groundwork on roads and utilities and building all will be happening on the site by April. In about a year, developer George de Guardiola will start on the private portion of City Center — three seven-story buildings with homes and retail slots and several restaurants and office buildings.
"That makes the project even more complicated at that point," City Manager Don Cooper said. "The problem will be when we start construction, having all those guys on the site ... the various contractors will start blaming each other for delays.
"It's going to be a busy site," Cooper added.
Redevelopment Director Glenn Vann is resigning his post Jan. 31, just as ground work is to begin and not long before construction is scheduled to start on the $25 million Civic Center. Coordinating the work could fall — at least for a while — to Cooper, who has not yet reviewed potential replacements for Vann.
But if all goes well, the Civic Center and many of the shops and restaurants could be open by 2009. It's the payoff that makes most of Snow's neighbors happy to put up with construction noise and dust.
"I'm excited to see something happening finally," said Mike Whalen, whose condo overlooks the site. "I can just plop over there and enjoy restaurants and shopping. A little bit of noise and banging doesn't bother me."
CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE
• Demolition is expected to last about two years.
• Construction of roads and utilities will start in February.
• Building of the $25 million, 100,000-square-foot Civic Center should begin by April.
• Within the year, developer George de Guardiola and his partners will start work on three seven-story residential and retail buildings and several restaurants and office buildings.
• The first part of the downtown, including the Civic Center, should open by 2009.
CITY CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS
• Construction crews can work from 7 a.m. until sundown Monday through Saturday.
• Crews can work from 8 a.m. to sundown on Sunday and holidays.
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