PARMA, Ohio -- A much-needed multimillion-dollar facelift and more is what LRC Realty has planned for its recently purchased Midtown Plaza in 2019.

The extensive project, which last night (Nov. 28) received unanimous approval from the Parma Planning Commission, includes the demolition of 54,000 square feet of retail space and the addition of a new 20,000-square-foot Aldi.

"We purchased this center in March 2017 when the property was approximately 40 percent vacant," LRC Realty Vice President of Development Robert Abramovich said. "The property was in desperate need of an owner with a vision and the wherewithal to reposition the asset and bring the plaza back to life.

"It's addition by subtraction. The large vacancy between Marc's and OfficeMax is hard to fill in, hard to subdivide. It's not built to what I would call today's retail standards from a building standpoint," Abramovich said.

In addition to the new Aldi location -- which also received Planning Commission approval and will have its own parking lot in the middle of the strip mall -- Abramovich announced that Planet Fitness plans to move into approximately 17,000 square feet of vacant Midtown Plaza property.

As part of the project, Akron-based LRC Realty is adding energy-efficient LED lighting, restoring the parking lot with additional landscaping and updating the facade.

"We're taking it from what I would say is a '70s or '80s look and making it something that's more current," Abramovich said. "It'll create more pedestrian-accessible areas and it's going to feel a lot warmer.

"For the consumer, it will feel safer and inviting. The atmosphere that we're able to create and the tenant mix we're able to attract there will be one that I think Parma can be proud of that will bring the center back to life," he said.

"We plan to start in March and be concluded by early December."

Speaking in favor of the Midtown Plaza project at the Planning Commission meeting was Ward 4 Councilwoman Kristin Saban.

"This renovation and fresh facelift to Midtown Plaza is long overdue," Saban said. "It's very exciting for the north end of Parma to have our shopping center get some significant upgrades. There have been many vacant storefronts over the years that hopefully will once again flourish."

Mayor Tim DeGeeter described the proposed Midtown Plaza project as a shot in the arm for the area.

"This will help attract additional retailers to this shopping plaza on Snow Road," DeGeeter said.

Assistant City Engineer Melissa Morrow added: "The sidewalks are being bumped out to have some covered walkway and some planter pots. They're going to green it up a bit."