Fisk Corners Moves Forward with Phase 2 Retail Development

Construction on the second phase of the Fisk Corners retail development near the intersection of Fisk Road and Highland Road has begun. 

The White Lake Township Board of Trustees approved the development’s two phases in June 2009, but the sluggish economy at the time forced local developer Sant Habash LLC to postpone the second phase of the nearly 13,500 square-foot development. 

Approximately half of the building was constructed, which currently houses Your Fit Club, an AT&T retail store, a Jimmy’s John’s and a Jackson Hewitt tax preparation store. 

The addition to the existing building is taking place to the east of where Jimmy John’s and Jackson Hewitt currently exist. Construction began in late May and usually takes around 90 days to complete, said White Lake Township Planner Jason Iacoangeli. 

“Everything was approved about two years ago but you had a situation where the economy was slowing down and the developers didn’t see an immediate need to (build) both phases,” Iacoangeli said. “They see enough of a potential for the economy to recover that there would be some interest in rental space."

The building will be designed so that it appears it was constructed simultaneously, Iaconageli said.

The second phase will be a “mirror image” of the first and will include six more units, Iacoangeli said. It is zoned for general business. 

One of the Sant Habash owners said that there are three possible renters that have been in touch with the developer about leasing space in the new building, which is expected to be completed by early fall at the latest. 

“Over half of (the Phase 2 building space) is spoken for already,” said Rob Habash, a White Lake resident and one of the individual developers. “There has been more interest and some discussions about possible leasing opportunities.” However at this point no final contracts have been signed, he added. 

Neighboring Sonic to the west of the existing Fisk Corners building and Chase Bank to the east are also technically part of that development. Sant Habash also owns a parcel of land west of Sonic and east of the Salvation Army retail store that may be part of a future sale or build out, Iacoangeli said. 

Habash said that there has been some activity on the out lot west of Sonic as well, but nothing as of yet has been finalized. 

“We do have opportunities, which is exciting and encouraging for the local economy,” Habash said.