PHOTO BY MICHELLE OWNBEY
Menards is constructing its own self-storage facility next to its Prairie Crossing store.
Menards is getting into the self-storage business, with 456 units under construction on nearly eight acres of land adjacent to its Prairie Crossing store.
"This piece of property has sat vacant for 10 years, so I'm sure they're trying to get some use out of it," said Adam Pallai, vice president of Martin Engineering, which is a subcontractor on the project.
He noted that it is part of a nationwide trend for Menards, which already has multiple self-storage units in other states. Melrose Park is the only Illinois Menards location with operational self-storage units, but several others are in the works in addition to Springfield.
"Last year we were involved in one up in the Rockford area, and I just quoted a survey for one over in Danville," Pallai said. "One at the Forsyth store fell through due to some zoning issues."
Pallai said the storage units will be a mix of 10 feet by 15 feet wide, 10 by 20 feet and 12 by 25 feet. The units are rented online, and he said there will not be an onsite office.
"They do rely on the store for security and maintenance, that's why they keep it close to the store. It will not have its own access point from Schooner Drive or Prairie Crossing; you'll have to access it from the store's existing parking lot," Pallai said.
According to a building permit filed with the city of Springfield, the project is valued at $1.68 million.
