(Spencer)– A proposal is in the works to transform a two-block area of downtown Spencer into a new grocery store, convenience store and gas station.
Representatives with Hy-Vee will appear before the Spencer city council this coming Monday to discuss their plans with the city.
According to City Manager Dean Torreson, the proposal would include the redevelopment of a two-block area between Grand Avenue and Second Avenue West, and West Eighth and Ninth Streets into a new 50-thousand-square-foot Hy-Vee grocery store, along with a 2,500 square foot convenience store and gas station.
The main grocery store would sit on the second block west of Grand, while the gas station would be situated near the corner of Eighth Street and Grand. All the buildings currently in that two-block area would be demolished or moved, including the Taco Johns Restaurant and the former Jubilee Grocery Store.
The project hinges on Hy-Vee’s request to close the 800 block of First Avenue West as well as an east-west alley in the second block west of Grand Avenue. These public right-of-ways would have to be vacated and sold by the city to Hy-Vee. Hy-Vee has requested TIF or tax increment financing from the city to help with construction costs. TIF has not been used in the past in Spencer to aid retail expansion.
The city council Monday is expected to forward the proposals to its Progress and Development Committee. The Spencer Zoning Board of Adjustment must also okay a special exception for the gas station to be constructed in the central business district.
Hy-Vee hopes to get city approval soon–they want to start construction this year or the spring of 2006 at the latest. Construction is expected to take 10 to 11 months.
(Story from Danielle Hitchings of sister station KDWD Hot 100 in Spencer.).
