STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The opening of Staten Island's first Chipotle Mexican Grill has been pushed back until the summer.

The popular Mexican restaurant was expected to open its first borough location early this year in a shopping complex that is being constructed adjacent to the New Dorp Post Office.

"Opening dates are dependent on the construction timeline and these can vary based on a number of factors," said Danielle Moore, a spokeswoman for Chipotle.

Lenny Rampulla, principal of the New Dorp-based Rampulla Associates Architects, which designed the shopping center, said that construction is "a little delayed," but that the complex will be completely open by the summer.

"[Construction] took a little longer, and I know we made a change to the elevator location [at the shopping center]," he said.

Chipotle recently came under fire after a norovirus outbreak was tied to its restaurants. While a federal criminal investigation was launched earlier this week in connection with the outbreak, Moore said the delay is strictly due to construction schedules.

According to Rampulla, the owners and developers of the property are Bruno and Savino Savo. The two are also developing townhouses at the former Mount Manresa site in Fort Wadsworth.

Already erected at the New Dorp site are an Investors Bank and a building where Chipotle, an AT&T store and The Vitamin Shoppe will be located, Rampulla said.

A parking deck with 166 underground spaces has also been completed, he added.

The developers will soon break ground on a third two-story, 15,000-square-foot building at the far end of the property, which will house a Retro Fitness on the second floor.

The first floor of the building will house retail, but it has yet to be leased, Rampulla said.

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