Kroger taking bids for expanded East Price Hill store

The following story originally appeared in the February 12 issue of Soapbox

The Kroger Company is currently accepting bids for an expanded East Price Hill store that will allow them to offer more product lines to the neighborhood.

Construction of the new 64,000-square-foot store, which was designed by Cole + Russell Architects, is expected to be completed by early November.

The new Kroger will include new product offerings such as a drive-thru pharmacy, a photo lab and a Nature's Market organic food section.

Given the pedestrian-oriented nature of Warsaw Avenue, the exterior site plan was designed with a new streetscape, new crosswalks, improved lighting, a new bus stop and a taxi stand.

According the Kroger Real Estate Manager Kelvin Peyton, the neighborhood's diversity dictated the need to replace the 25-year-old store.

"There's a void for customers in Price Hill and surrounding areas to get the products they want," Peyton said. "It's a diverse community over there. To be able to give the diverse customer base what they want, we have to be bigger than we are now."

The current store will close in mid-March, with demolition by the end of the month.

Action taken on University Plaza

University Plaza rendering, 2005: Click to enlarge

The redevelopment of University Plaza in Corryville has been slow to come about, but some action has been taken place behind the scenes.

The Corryville Economic Development Corporation (dba URP Euclid South LLC) and the Vine Street Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation have been buying up lots in the area bounded by Short Vine, Corry, and Charlton streets and Euclid Avenue (BIRD'S EYE), including 2606 Vine Street, 2615 Euclid Avenue, 17 E Charlton Street and 26 E Daniels Street.

The redevelopment plan is part of the Corryville University Village Urban Renewal Plan, which was adopted by City Council in March 2005.

The plan envisions the reconnection of Short Vine to Taft Road, a redeveloped Kroger store of 35,000 to 65,000 square feet, and ground floor retail with housing and office uses above. Parking garages would be located at the center of each block.

No formal announcements regarding the development have been made.

It is rumored that the developers have a purchase option on several more properties within the block, but that the owner of 2608 Vine Street (home of Submarine Galley) is the lone holdout.

Fifth-Third, which occupies the corner of Corry Street and Euclid Avenue, will move two blocks north to the old site of the Schiel Primary School for Arts Enrichment.

A local blogger provided the information in the last two paragraphs.