(Spencer)– Associates with Hy-Vee addressed the Spencer city council Monday evening during their committee-of-the-whole meeting.
Dennis Ausenhus is the Senior Vice President of Real Estate for Hy-Vee. He told the council of their plans to move out of the current store in southwest Spencer and to construct a new one in a two-block area between Grand Avenue and Second Avenue West.
Ausenhus says the new store would include several amenities not offered at the current location, such as a gas and convenience store, health market, a new wine and spirits store, an italian express and Chinese department would be added to the store’s delicatessen; and a digital photo outlet with one hour processing.
The main grocerty store would be built where the Taco Johns Fast-food restaurant currently sits, The gas station would be built on the east side of the lot, adjacent to Grand Avenue.
The project hinges on the city’s willingness to use Tax Increment Financing to assist Hy-Vee, and their request to close the 800 block of First Avenue West as well as the east-west alley in the second block west of Grand Avenue.
The proposal has been referred to the council’s Progress and Development Committee for discussion. The committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 10th. That meeting will be open to the public.
(Story from Danielle Hitchings of sister station KDWD Hot 100 in Spencer.).
