Construction has started on an Aldi grocery store on South Illinois Avenue. Above, construction subcontractors from Bellamy Excavating of Knoxville install a storm sewer on the 1.4-acre site near the relocated, expanded Panera Bread and new Aubrey’s restaurant.
Construction work has started on an Aldi grocery store on South Illinois Avenue.
Under way for about a month, work on the 16,000-square-foot store on 1.4 acres could be finished in November, said Tony Stacy, job superintendent for the project’s general contractor, Creative Structures of Knoxville.
The project at the Woodland Town Center, where the new Aubrey’s and relocated Panera Bread opened in October, was announced in January.
Workers are now installing a storm sewer and pouring concrete foundation walls for the grocery store. The building’s steel walls could be set next week, Stacy said. An underground water drainage basin at the front of the site, close to South Illinois Avenue, will be covered by a parking lot.
Stacy said there are about a dozen workers at the site, including subcontractors. He said rainy weather has slowed down the project.
The Aldi store will be across from Aubrey’s and Panera, on the other side of a new roadway called Woodland Terrace East. Construction on Woodland Town Center started more than a year ago. The shopping center is across from the former Dean Stallings Ford.
The new road through the small shopping center and a stoplight in front of it, as well as improvements to the public storm water system, are being paid for with help from a $625,000 tax increment financing agreement approved by city and county officials. That agreement, which could last up to 20 years, allows tax revenues generated at the site to be used for the improvements.
Aldi is an international discount grocery store chain that has more than 1,000 stores in 31 states in the United States. The stores carry items from fresh produce and meat to bread and peanut butter.
To cut costs and keep prices low, the company does things like use a shopping cart deposit system that requires shoppers to deposit a quarter to use a cart. The quarter is refunded when the shopper returns the cart. Aldi uses this system to cut down on the costs of collecting carts left in parking lots and reduce damage to cars.
Aldi opened its first Knoxville store in 2009, and there are now three stores in the city, including one on Schaad Road, and a fourth in Alcoa.
About six years ago, Aldi proposed building a store in Oak Ridge at the corner of Florida Avenue and Oak Ridge Turnpike, where the Dollar General store is now.
Jason Allison says
what’s the news on the new Krogers?
johnhuotari says
Jason,
I’ll check on the status of the Kroger shopping center ASAP. I have heard city and economic development officials recently say that the project is on schedule as far as they know.
I see silt fencing has been put up around the site, and there is some heavy equipment there, which I assume means the developers are getting ready to move some dirt.
In general, I’ve heard from people in the development community that the recent rainy weather has delayed some projects. I can’t say that that is true at the Kroger project, but as I mentioned in the story above, the weather has delayed the Aldi project.
mary connolly says
Thank you, John. You do a great job of keeping your
readers informed.
johnhuotari says
Thank you, Mary.
johnhuotari says
Jason,
Here is the most current information I have on the Kroger Marketplace project. I’m still trying to get more details and submitted some questions to a Kroger spokesman on Friday morning.
Here’s the link to my most recent story: http://oakridgetoday.com/2013/08/04/machines-start-moving-dirt-debris-knocking-down-trees-at-kroger-marketplace/
Jason Allison says
I knew it was just a matter of time. I think we’re all antsy about this one.
johnhuotari says
I have submitted a list of questions to Kroger and will let you know as soon as I have more information.
Ray Evans says
The formal groundbreaking ceremony for Kroger is scheduled for August 8 at 10:00 am.
johnhuotari says
Great to know. Thank you, Ray.
Ray Evans says
Due to schedule conflicts the formal ground breaking has been moved back a few weeks. The official date is still pending.
johnhuotari says
Thank you, Ray. I have posted a newer story on the Kroger Marketplace. Spokesman Glynn Jenkins said a groundbreaking could be scheduled this month. Here’s the link for those who haven’t seen it: http://oakridgetoday.com/2013/08/05/demolition-under-way-construction-could-start-this-fall-on-kroger-marketplace/
Jason Allison says
Thank you Ray.
Sam Hopwood says
The original attempt by Aldi to build where the Dollar General store is located was scuttled by former Councilwoman E.S., among others, who did not like the location of their loading dock. Aldi moved to Knoxburg and has done quite well. Glad to see they are trying Oak Ridge again. Apparently their loading dock is not a problem this time… : )
Ellen Smith says
Sam: I had no part in the decision on the proposed Aldi at Oak Ridge Tpke and Florida Avenue back in 2007. It was the planning commission that had objections to the location of the loading dock, which didn’t comply with zoning ordinance requirements requiring visual screening for loading docks. City Council never reviewed or acted on the proposal. I did ask questions about the site plan, mostly in relation to drainage, vehicle access, and traffic impacts, all of which were concerns for neighborhood residents. I was disappointed when Aldi decided not to locate in Oak Ridge. I thought then — and I still think — that Aldi would do well here and would be appreciated by local shoppers. My concern was with their site development plan. I’m glad they are finally coming here.
The Family Dollar store at that corner has a different traffic access arrangement than Aldi proposed. Also, the store and parking lot are set back from the large drainage ditch on the front of the property, which avoids the drainage issues with Aldi’s site plan.
Jason Allison says
Some people just can’t be pleased. I’m glad Dollar General got that lot and Aldis got this one. It’s in my neighborhood nd I can walk to it.