Site clearing work along one of the busiest roads in Alexandria, North Nokomis Street, has many drivers wondering what is being built there.
It's the future home of Ella's Salon.
Heavy machinery has been leveling the site, located across the street from Perry's Furniture and next to the Re/MAX building.
The salon will be moving from its site at 619 Third Avenue East, next to Elden's Fresh Foods, to North Nokomis and is planning to open In January or February, according to owner Emily Regnier. It's a $1.2 million project.
It will provide about 1,000 square feet more than the present location and will include a retail store on the front, more hair stations and extra manicure and pedicure stations.
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Another big project is also planned about a block south of the new salon — a four-story, 75-unit apartment building between North Nokomis Street and North Maple Street, south of Darling Avenue and north of First Avenue. The developer received a land use permit from the city but has not yet closed on the property.
As proposed, the complex will offer a mix of efficiency and one- and two-bedroom apartments – 15 open market units and 60 units for those 55 and older.
More activity in the area — a major street improvement project on Darling Avenue and Maple Street — is also in the works. The Alexandria City Council is expected to consider approving bids on the project at its June 22 meeting.
The street project, which is set to take place in late summer or early fall, is estimated to cost about $600,000 and includes sanitary sewer, streets, sidewalks and storm sewer.
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