HOWLAND — A protective fence set up around the perimeter of the former Super Kmart at Howland Commons has a banner hanging from it that states: Meijer Coming Soon.

Its progress in the long-awaited project adjacent to the Eastwood Mall from the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that as of June, according to a spokesman then, had a contract for the site but was still finalizing details.

The company was given a permit in late September to start demolishing the structure that has been vacant since Super Kmart closed in April 2018, a casualty of the financial troubles of its parent company, Sears Holdings Corp.

Some demolition already has begun.

“They started this week working on the interior,” Dan Morgan, Howland’s zoning administrator, said. “We’re excited that it’s moving forward.”

Construction is expected to begin in 2022, said Darlene St. George, Howland administrator.

An email to two of Meijer’s media relations staff seeking comment Friday was not answered. Joe Bell, spokesman for Cafaro Company, owner / operator of the Eastwood Mall Complex, of which Howland Commons is a part, deferred comment to Meijer.

Meijer intends to build a 159,264-square-foot supercenter at the site. The retailer also plans for a 3,376-square-foot convenience store and fuel station in the parking lot near state Route 46.

Construction could take upward of 14 months.

The company’s first venture into the Mahoning Valley opened in May on U.S. Route 224 near Tippecanoe Road in Boardman. The company invested about $20 million into the 159,000-square-foot store that employs more than 300 workers.

Meanwhile in Austintown, Meijer has had the OK to move on a store project since 2016. Building plans for the site of the former Austintown Fitch High School and Middle School have been approved. Outside of some prep work at the Mahoning Avenue site, little has been done to the land.

The company operates more than 250 supercenters and grocery stores in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.

rselak@tribtoday.com