Source: Kalamazoo Gazette
Contact: Kathy Gessup
Email: kjessup@kalamazoogazette.comKALAMAZOO — An expanding grocery business could join an existing bakery and a cleaning-chemical manufacturer later this year in a redevelopment area just northeast of downtown.
People’s Food Co-op announced plans Tuesday for a $1.7 million project at 507 Harrison St. that will quadruple its retail operation and include leased space for a separate, non-profit food-business incubator.
Officials are predicting the proposed, 6,000-square-foot building will create an additional six, part-time jobs and boost co-op purchases from local farms and processors that reached $100,000 in 2009.
Chris Dilley, People’s Food Co-op general manager, said construction could begin as early as May and be open for business in November if the co-op can raise about $450,000 in loans and equity from the 760 individuals and families that own a share of the business in exchange for food discounts and rebates.
“We are so excited to be able to offer a way for the community to invest in good food, in local farming and in our own economic success,” Dilley said.
City officials predict the project could increase weekly traffic in the riverfront area by 1,100 individuals coming to purchase from the co-op or at its 100-Mile Market that also will be relocated to the site.
In addition, Fair Food Matters’ Can-Do Kitchen, a non-profit food-business incubator, will lease 1,400-square-feet of the proposed building for local entrepreneurs who create “unique” food products for resale.
People’s Food Co-op, currently located at 436 S. Burdick St., was formed in 1973 and has been at its current downtown site since 1978.
The Harrison Street parcel could accommodate a 4,000-square-foot addition if more space is required in the future.
City brownfield redevelopment officials say they’re working on an incentive and gap-financing package that is designed to assist developers who invest in new uses for land that is underutilized or requires environmental remediation.
The proposed food co-op building would join MacKenzies’ Bakery and One Way Products to complete development of the block bounded by Harrison, East Willard, East Ransom and Walbridge streets.
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