1950′s relic and hillcrest eyesore vons supermaket is set for some major changes, with an expansion from 20,000 to 59,000 square feet, construction of a second story (with parking on the ground floor), and a wall to cover the currently exposed loading dock facing university.  the uptown news article notes that this project’s been in the works since 1995, having gone through various residential add-on incarnations, and is now back to market-only given the current economic conditions.  another presentation of the plan is scheduled for 2/2 at joyce beers community center.

just down washington, ric libirian’s restaurant trifecta is complete, with red door, wellington and the re-incarnated cafe bleu all open for business.  great to see this block of mission hills continuing to evolve:

- also in hillcrest, the next attempt for success at 127 university (last known as the better half) is the big easy, frankie the bull’s new southern food spot.  crawfish po boys and louisiana smoked ribs aren’t something you often see in hillcrest, so maybe this one will stick.

- and one final hillcrest item: uptown news says LED up-lighting may be on the way for the medians on university between 10th and normal.  with the variety of colors these devices can display, it should add plenty of welcome light to evenings in the gayborhood.