The new Kroger Marketplace will be the company’s fifth store in Oak Ridge, and it could add more than 165 jobs, executives said during a Thursday morning groundbreaking ceremony.
The new Kroger Marketplace shopping center scheduled to open next summer will be the company’s fifth store in Oak Ridge, and it could add more than 165 jobs, providing a “tipping point” for economic development, officials said Thursday.
It’s the largest in a series of retail construction projects now under way, including on Oak Ridge Turnpike and Illinois Avenue. It could be joined soon by the redevelopment of the Oak Ridge Mall.
“We are putting together the future attributes of growth,†Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan said during a Thursday morning groundbreaking ceremony near the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church.
The rapid pace of construction at the shopping center amazed observers. Just a few weeks ago, there were still many trees, two hotels, a Mexican restaurant, and debris from demolished homes on the 25-acre site. Not anymore.
“It shows you just how quickly this thing is going to move,†said Tim Coggins, Kroger district manager.
A company executive and others expressed amazement at the rapid pace of construction at the site of a new Kroger Marketplace shopping center in Oak Ridge on Thursday.
The $33 million Kroger shopping center is expected to open in July 2014, and it will be anchored by a new, 123,000-square-foot Kroger Marketplace. Coggins said Kroger will grow from 135 associates to 300. The new store will include a bistro, clinic, drive-through pharmacy, fresh sushi, home center, jewelry and baby sections, an expanded natural and organic section, and apparel and shoes. There will also be a Starbucks Coffee and nine-dispenser Kroger Fuel Center.
Kroger officials said they aren’t ready to announce additional tenants yet. But the company has received several letters of intent from retailers interested in being part of the shopping center, said Bobby Capers, senior engineering manager for Kroger’s Southeast region. Those retailers typically include hair and nail shops, restaurants, dry cleaners, and banks, he said.
The rapid work and the brown mud at the site northeast of Oak Ridge Turnpike and Illinois Avenue reminded a few observers of the construction boom seven decades ago, when the Secret City was built in a frenzy as part of the Manhattan Project, a top-secret federal program to build the world’s first atomic weapons.
Ed Westcott and his family are pictured above. From right are Westcott, Lil Kyte, Emily Hunnicutt, Don Hunnicutt, William Westcott, and John Westcott.
Paying homage to that heritage, the shopping center has been named the Westcott Center in honor of James Edward Westcott, the official government photographer in Oak Ridge during World War II.
“It’s probably one of the most prestigious honors he’s ever had,†said Don Hunnicutt, Westcott’s son-in-law. “The family’s ecstatic over that. This will be here from now on.â€
Officials and executives characterized the Kroger development as the product of persistence, hard work, and many hours of overtime. It included the acquisition of 57 properties, including dozens of homes in small neighborhoods on the former Robin Lane and Iris Circle, and the purchase of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, which has been used for many community events.
West Village homes off Raleigh Road in the 1950s are pictured above. The new Kroger Marketplace shopping center will be on the south side of Raleigh Road. (Photo courtesy Ed Westcott/Emily Hunnicutt)
Building construction on the new Kroger could start in October, and Capers said project executives hope to have a roof complete by the end of November, allowing them to work through the winter.
The previous Kroger stores were built in 1954 on the current Oak Ridge Mall site; in 1963, where Staples is now; in 1980, where the Oak Ridge Bowling Center is; and in 1993 at the current location on South Illinois Avenue. The stores were increasingly sophisticated, adding meat, deli, and bakery sections, and then registers with scanners. The current store set a sales record for a grand opening week when it opened, Coggins said.
“We couldn’t be here without the dedication of the customers in this market,†he told a few hundred people at Thursday’s groundbreaking.
Dave Drum says
What Oak Ridge Mall re-development? I thought that was dead in the water.
johnhuotari says
Not as far as I know, but I’ll double-check. Have you heard something different?
I have checked periodically with Ray Evans, the city’s economic development consultant, and the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, and they have continued to tell me that the mall project is on track, and there don’t appear to be any major hurdles.
In early July, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson said the property could be purchased by the new owners in four to six months.
Dave Drum says
News Sentinel ran this story in July. Since I haven’t heard any of our officials deny it, I figured there was some truth to it. I hope it is wrong! If you know something else, John, get it out there!! http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/jul/03/or-mall-sale-remains-in-limbo/
Charlie Jernigan says
Exactly what truth did you get from the News Sentinel story that is inconsistent with Oak Ridge Officials claim that Crosland Southeast is doing their due diligence and we will know before the end of the year?
Dave Drum says
Actually, no truth at all, Charlie, and I didn’t claim it to be truth. That’s why I said ‘I thought’ since I hadn’t heard anything otherwise. As I said, I hope it is on track.
johnhuotari says
Dave,
My understanding in July and now is about the same, and in line with what Ray said above: The deal is still on, the due diligence continues, and there have been no major hurdles to the completion of the purchase. I should point out that Ray is one of the people I’ve checked in with periodically.
Our February story announcing the purchase contract said there would be a due diligence period of undetermined length.
In the meantime, Crosland Southeast, the company that has the mall under contract, has asked the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce to develop a survey on apparel and restaurants. You can see the survey here: http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e76d1h0hhe5tjwz9/a01pchkra8ilk/questions
Dave Drum says
All good news, John! Thanks for the update!
Sam Hopwood says
The bank is expecting a major payment from the present abandoned Mall owners in October. I suspect Crosland Southeast is waiting to see if that payment is made before moving forward. I’m betting it is not made and who knows what will happen then.
Ray Evans says
Crosland Southeast’s plans to re-develop the former mall property are
proceeding well and are on schedule. Contrary to speculation in another news article, the project is not in limbo. Crosland is not in a “waiting” mode.
Sam Hopwood says
Maybe, maybe not. I will believe it when I see it. As a paid consultant for the city I would expect you to put the most posiitive light on the situation as possible. Me, not so much.
Ray Evans says
Not trying to spin anything, Sam. Just trying to dispel false rumors with a bit of first hand knowledge.
Sam Hopwood says
Understood… incidentally for those who would like a great view of the Kroger Project underway drive up to Valparaiso Rd near East Vanderbilt. The scope of this project kinda takes your breath away.
johnhuotari says
You’re welcome.
Ray Evans says
Crosland Southeast’s plans to re-develop the former mall property are proceeding well and are on schedule. A project of this magnitude and complexity simply takes time.
johnhuotari says
Thank you, Ray.
Guest says
News Sentinel ran this story in July. Haven’t heard anything denying or confirming it from our city officials. I hope it is back on track. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/jul/03/or-mall-sale-remains-in-limbo/