krogermarquis
New Kroger on Euclid Avenue at the corner of Marquis Avenue. Marquis Avenue is the planned location of the exterior mural.
With a hearing before the Urban County Council scheduled for this evening, Kroger representatives have announced that they are downsizing their plans for the proposed new grocery store on Euclid Avenue.
The new plans would decrease the square footage of the entire store by over 10,000 square feet, to 86,472 square feet, according to Kroger spokesperson Tim McGurk. However, most of the decrease in space would be taken from the basement area; the main level would only be lowered by 1,100 square feet, to 64,000 square feet. The current store is 38,000 square feet.
Kroger is applying to have its property rezoned from B-1 to B-6P, a shopping center designation required to build a structure of that size. The store is also applying for a number of variances to the B-6P zoning.
Regarding the reduced surface area, McGurk said the new plans would allow for a an easement along Marquis Avenue that is two feet wider, making the total distance from the curb to the store’s wall 16 feet. This, he said, would provide space for a wider sidewalk and additional landscaping. The loading dock entrance further back from Euclid Avenue on Marquis Avenue would also be increased nearly 8 feet to 62 feet, and the new plans offer an entrance into the store on Marquis Avenue. There is also the possibility that artwork could be installed along the exterior wall.
“Along with the unique landscaping and glass and architectural touches, there’s going to be some art put on the side of the building,” McGurk said. “We’ve planned for that and we would engage with the local neighborhood associations to help make a decision for what type of art they would like to see on the side of the building.”
The possible brick facade on Marquis Avenue, which would be over 300 feet long, has come under particular scrutiny, and has led one neighborhood organization, Euclid League, to dub the new grocery store “Fort Kroger.” A number of nearby residences have “No to Fort Kroger” signs posted in their yards.
McGurk said these recent changes in the store’s proposed design were a response to concerns neighbors and other groups have voiced about the new store, such as the store’s size disrupting the character of the neighborhood.
“We’ve received feedback from many different sources and we’ve tried to listen to what seems most important to the numerous different groups that have been sharing feedback,” he said. “While the vast majority of our customers have been overwhelmingly positive, some neighborhood groups have asked us to consider a number of changes, and that’s what led to these changes.”
The public hearing for the rezoning application is scheduled for 5 p.m. In the council chambers.