In an attempt to supply the Bradenton area with healthy food alternatives, plans for a proposed grocery store are in the works.
A town hall meeting on Thursday, March 15, elicited public review and comment on a proposed urban format grocery store located on 13th Avenue West and 1st Street in Bradenton. The
Bradenton Central Community Redevelopment Agency intends for the piece of property to be turned into a small grocery store.
“The store will serve the adjoining neighborhoods and people who work in the area, including downtown and the businesses on 1st Street,” says Tim McCann,
Bradenton public information officer. “We're not sure of the size yet, but nothing massive -- the lot isn't big enough for that.”
The land housed the
13th Avenue Community Recreation Center for more than 60 years. A few years ago, the center relocated to
Norma Lloyd Park.
“This gave the Central CRA an opportunity to market this land for construction,” McCann says. “It's a weird-shaped piece of land -- like a triangle -- but it's an ideal location right off of U.S. 301.”
Currently,
Save-A-Lot is looking at the available plans and, according to McCann, is very interested in the $6 million project. It's expected, in accordance to an agreement with developers, at least 30 percent of the construction workforce for the store will come from Bradenton.
A lease has not yet been signed with any grocery, but leases for eight accompanying businesses are expected to be signed around May. Groundbreaking is slated for August. A proposed site plan is currently on file at Bradenton City Hall.
Writer:
Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Tim McCann,
City of Bradenton
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