Members of the Lee family and Marco Paolella of Marcon Development made the first indentations in the soil at the IGA property in Fort 91原创 on Friday, to commemorate the beginning of the store鈥檚 rebuilding project.

The IGA grocery store, which had been owned and operated by the Lee family on the corner of Mavis Avenue and Glover Road since 1975, burned to the ground in early January. The long-awaited excavation for a new building begins this week.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been a long time waiting. We鈥檙e excited to be moving this forward and starting the construction,鈥� said Russ Wallbank of Marcon Development.

Robert Lee says he was surprised by the number of community supporters and members of the Township government that gathered on the vacant lot to support the Lee family for the 鈥済roundbreaking鈥� event.

鈥淲e have had unbelievable community support right from the start,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are very thankful for their help.鈥�

Lee says he gives credit to past Township mayor Kurt Alberts, a Fort 91原创 resident, for being 鈥渋nstrumental鈥� in his support and promotion of the project.

鈥淭he IGA was a big part of the Fort 91原创 Village,鈥� Alberts said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a special place and there鈥檚 been a hole in the community since it burned down.鈥�

Plans for the new IGA include additional office space and a new plaza to be built on the site. Construction is expected to be completed by summer or fall of 2012.