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Joe’s Square, which is under construction on the northeast corner of Beaver Avenue and Fagen Drive

in Beaverdale, was supposed to be up and running already. However, soggy weather has put the project a month behind schedule, and it’s now expected to be ready for business in approximately four to six weeks, said Tim Rypma, project developer with Diligent Development Group LLC.

The building, which was formerly zoned to standard commercial requirements, was rezoned to follow neighborhood pedestrian commercial requirements so that the development could reach as far as the sidewalk, said Eric Wessels, project architect with Simonson & Associates Inc.

With standard commercial zoning, properties must be built at least 20 feet away from pedestrian sidewalks and generally have storefront parking. However, with the new zoning, Joe’s Square will feature parking behind the building and was built close to the sidewalk.

The building was also designed to blend in with the culture of the Beaverdale corridor and utilizes smaller bricks like those used in older buildings, creating an aged look.

“We wanted this building to have the appearance that it’s been here for a long time, and so far I think we have been successful,” Wessels said. “We used a little bit of a smaller brick – an older-looking brick – and it looks like it’s been there for a while.”

With developers working on the concept for the project for more than two years, leasing began last summer and construction began last November.

Now, with just a few more weeks of finishing touches remaining, Joe’s Square is almost completely leased, combining both commercial and retail tenants. The space was initially planned for residential living above and retail businesses below, but the plans changed when commercial clients started to show interest, Wessels said.

The first floor, which contains approximately 9,000 square feet, will house a restaurant/lounge called Good Son Martinis and Paninis, which will have an outdoor patio and will be operated by the same people who own The Continental in the East Village.

The first floor will also house Dr. Terry Reick’s dentistry office and has open space to support a drive-through business. The second floor will consist of an insurance office, Anytime Fitness and a yoga studio.

Prior to Joe’s Square, the lot housed Bonds of Beaverdale. The business leased the location from the Giudicessi family, which also owns Christopher’s restaurant across the street. Once the old building was demolished, the Giudicessis offered space for Bonds of Beaverdale to lease; however, with a new building come higher costs, and the business declined, Wessels said.