Oak Park Announces Kroger’s Interest in Former Kmart Location
(City of Oak Park, Oct. 15, 2018)
Oak Park, MI- Oak Park city officials are happy to announce they have made progress in their discussions with The Kroger Company, the country’s largest supermarket chain, regarding their interest in opening a new Kroger grocery store at the site of the old Kmart located at 26200 Greenfield Road, Oak Park, MI 48237. The opening of the store would make Kroger the first major grocer of its kind to operate in Oak Park in over 10 years.
Contingent upon the finalization of state tax incentives, Kroger’s purchase of the property, and site plan approvals, City officials are working hard to make sure this deal happens. The deal would create dozens of new jobs available to Oak Park residents, as well as attract new businesses to the area.
“Throughout the last five years we have been able to move the needle and attract a series of outstanding new businesses,” says Oak Park City Manager Erik Tungate. “Momentum is finally building in our favor due to a strong economy and renewed international interest in the Detroit region. I give credit for our resurgence to our economic development team headed by Kim Marrone, along with an array of outstanding partners in the private sector who are leading the charge.”
Made possible by proactive business attraction efforts and the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) of 2000, which allows the City to freeze property taxes on the site for up to 12 years, this deal would come on the heels of several other exciting projects in the City of Oak Park.
“We’ll be delighted to welcome Kroger to the City of Oak Park to join our family of businesses,” says Oak Park Mayor Marian McClellan. “The new store would be a significant addition to our community, sure to draw customers from Oak Park, Huntington Woods, Berkley and more who are looking for high quality and variety in groceries.”