Conflicts Emerge Over Grocery Store Developments in Livonia
Livonia—A year-long effort to build a Meijer grocery store along with 102 rental apartments on a former Kmart site has recently gained approval from the Livonia City Council. The decision comes after lengthy discussions and strong opposition from city council members and local residents who believe that the community already has enough grocery stores.
Concerns About Over Saturation
The new Meijer, estimated to cost around $60 million, will replace a vacant Kmart location that has been empty since 2017. Livonia already has a Meijer, along with a Kroger, Walmart, Target, and a proposed Whole Foods at a nearby former corporate campus. City council member Rob Gjonaj Dovonic expressed hesitation about the new grocery store, stating, “I’m not excited about a Meijer. We’ve got a ton of grocery stores.”
Residents have voiced concerns regarding what they feel is an over-saturation of grocery options in the area. “Livonia doesn’t need another grocery store,” resident Andrew Mytys remarked at a recent council gathering.
The Broader Picture
Livonia is not alone in its opposition to additional Meijer stores. The grocery chain has faced similar pushback in other communities around Metro Detroit. Just last year, Meijer and developer Redico LLC took legal action against Plymouth Township after their plans to build a store on Five Mile and Beck were turned down by the township’s planning commission.
Traffic and Crime Concerns
The backlash against new grocery stores often revolves around fears of increased traffic and crime, underlining broader anxieties concerning the presence of big box retailers. Residents have indicated that the growth of supermarket chains, along with the rise of niche grocery stores like Whole Foods, leads to overcrowding and competition that may not benefit their neighborhoods.
Meijer spokesperson Frank Guglielmi mentioned that while they do encounter challenges, they believe disagreement is common for new developments. “There are significant differences between the three sites you reference, and each has unique dynamics,” Guglielmi stated. He indicated that initial opposition often comes from a “small but vocal minority” that resists any new construction.
Livonia’s Council Approval
Despite the concerns raised, the Livonia City Council unanimously approved the development plan on August 26. The new Meijer will occupy a substantial 75,000-square-foot space, located at the intersection of Seven Mile and Farmington. Council members acknowledged that while they might have reservations, a multimillion-dollar investment that revitalizes an abandoned property is difficult to reject. Dovonic emphasized, “Just because I don’t necessarily like a Meijer doesn’t mean I can vote that way.”
To ease some resident worries, Meijer and the developer agreed to adjustments regarding design and traffic. Originally proposing more apartments, the developer cut the number nearly in half in response to feedback. Still, local inhabitants remain worried about traffic impacts. “We’re really cognizant about the traffic that’s already there,” Mytys noted.
Challenges in Farmington Hills and Plymouth Township
In nearby Farmington Hills, a planned Meijer at an old strip mall hit turbulence due to passionate protests against the demolition of a cherished arcade, Marvelous Marvin’s Mechanical Museum. More than 20,000 individuals signed a petition to save the arcade, which ultimately had to relocate after the Farmington Hills City Council approved the development in February.
In Plymouth Township, the situation escalated into legal battles over plans for a larger 159,000-square-foot Meijer store. Dennis Cebulski, of the township’s planning commission, faced significant pressure from both supporters and opponents of the plan. Cebulski recalled previous resistance to similar developments in neighboring areas, stating, “Any big box retail would have faced resistance.”
The Future for Meijer
Even amidst conflicts, Guglielmi stated that after their stores open, many former opponents can become loyal customers. As new developments move forward, how communities embrace or resist grocery stores remains a crucial conversation in Metro Detroit’s growth.
