The groundbreaking for the $830 million Monroe Blocks development in downtown Detroit is on track for December, according to Bedrock.

“Much like Hudson’s, it’s eerily close to the same timing a year ago,” said Joe Guziewicz, vice president of construction for Bedrock, on Thursday. “We’ll do a groundbreaking kick-off, and watch out. Work will start.”

It was last December that Bedrock celebrated the groundbreaking of its $1 billion redevelopment of the former Hudson’s site. Removal of the underground parking structure at that site is complete and this week crews begin deep foundation work, Guziewicz said.

The Monroe Blocks site is a mostly vacant two-square-block area bounded by Monroe, Bates, Cadillac Square and Randolph. Plans calls for 818,000-square-feet of office space, 170,000-square-feet of retail space and 482 residential units.

Crews are prepping for the groundbreaking and the temporary Wayfinding Skatepark is gone. Guziewicz said there are plans to relocate it.

The former National Theatre will be demolished, but its facade will be preserved and moved to Farmer and incorporated as a pedestrian archway.

“It’s going to go over Farmer, as we close Farmer and make it more pedestrian-friendly,” Guziewicz said.

cwilliams@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @CWilliams_DN