Several area businesses sit empty

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Several area businesses sit empty in a strip mall in West Lafayette. 

Demolition will soon begin on the building that used to house Subway, Jimmy John's, Mad Mushroom Pizza and several other businesses on Northwestern Avenue.

The demolition is scheduled later this month in order to start construction on the 720 Northwestern project in West Lafayette.

Earlier this month, the Executive Committee of Tippecanoe County's Area Plan Commission approved final detailed plans for the project.

The planned development across from Mackey Arena calls for 230 units, almost 42,000 feet of retail space and a three-level parking garage.

Mayor John Dennis said all of the businesses that were housed here have closed and moved to other locations.

He said any time a developer buys a property that already has businesses in place the price includes those current leases.

However, he said it's still unclear what businesses will be housed in the new 720 Northwestern project.

"It's our understanding that some of the businesses that are currently in that location will continue to be there, new businesses are likely to be brought in," West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis said. "But regardless this is all still up to negotiations with the developer and existing tenants."

Plans call for construction to begin sometime in January with completion in August 2014.