By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
For the second consecutive month, the head of Whitewater’s Community Development Authority sounded an optimistic tone about the prospect of a full-service grocery returning.
At the urging of its board of directors, the grocery store recruitment effort has become a standing line item on the CDA’s monthly meeting agenda.
Officials on the appointed body, which handles such issues as economic development and redevelopment projects, have stated their undaunted desire to bring back a traditional grocer.
The city has been without such a retailer since local businessman Terry Daniels closed his Sentry store at 1260 W. Main St. in late 2015.
At the CDA’s most recent regular meeting April 25, Executive Director Dave Carlson said a number of possibilities remain in play, though he said he could not name any specifics because nothing is finalized at this point.
“Active discussions are continuing on three separate and distinct proposals, which would include a grocery store — either as a stand-alone project or as part of a multi-use project,” Carlson said in his report to the CDA.
While few specifics have been shared at this point, Carlson did divulge the locales under consideration.
Two of the leads, he said, are related to city-owned property at a roundabout location on the city’s east side. The third area under the microscope is a privately owned parcel. Also in the mix, Carlson said, is a possible downtown site.
In addition to the individual parcels, Carlson said the grocery store discussion has been incorporated into the mixed-use project around the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, which is poised to expand its footprint alongside housing and possible commercial development.
“I also have been looping back to several grocery contacts to let them know we remain very motivated to put together a deal to get a project done,” Carlson said.
The CDA’s talk runs alongside a separate endeavor, Whitewater Grocery Co., under a co-op model.
