Construction on Madison Row in Manlius expected to be delayed about 6 months; Key Bank to break ground in April

Construction of a $5 million-plus retail, office and residential project in the village of Manlius was scheduled to begin this spring, but the developer now says the start will be pushed back several months.

Michael Dougherty, the developer of the Madison Row project, said he expects construction on the two main buildings to start probably in late summer. He is asking the village planning board for a six-month extension to break ground, and said the delay is mainly due to difficulty finding an appropriate restaurant to anchor the space.

A project across Route 92 is proposed to include Kinney Drugs, town homes.

Dougherty said hes close to a deal, but the poor economy has hurt his efforts.

We certainly hope to be in the ground this summer, he said. The economy has absolutely been a factor, particularly when it comes to a restaurant expanding to another location. Were looking for a restaurant thats very high quality, and were focused on finding a local or regional operator.

Residents will see action on the four-acre dirt lot at the southwest corner of Route 92 and Stickley Drive next month, he said. Work is slated to begin on a Key Bank office in mid-April, as the bank has secured its building permit and the contractor is ready to begin. Construction should take about five months, with the bank targeting a late-summer opening, Dougherty said.

Dougherty, of Mayflower Associates, is partnering with JGB Properties on part of the project. He said he has letters of intent from a number of tenants, who he did not name.

The project calls for a pair of two-story buildings that will blend professional office space, luxury apartments, retail stores, a restaurant and the new Key Bank. The project is designed with a new urbanism style, a design philosophy that opposes suburban sprawl and instead emphasizes walkable communities.

The development will have a 100-car parking lot behind the buildings, with each retail shop having its own entrance on the street and from the parking lot.

Manlius planners will vote on Doughertys six-month extension request in April, but will likely agree to the extra time, said Marilyn Jeffery, planning board co-chair. The board had stipulated that construction had to start within a year, which is why the extension is necessary.

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Construction on Madison Row in Manlius expected to be delayed about 6 months; Key Bank to break ground in April