Plymouth Township Welcomes New Meijer Store Following Court Settlement
Get ready, residents of Plymouth Township! Exciting changes are on the horizon as work for a new Meijer store is set to kick off this spring. After a bit of a legal zigzag, the city and the retail giant have finally reached an agreement, paving the way for a brand-new grocery destination!
What’s Happening?
On January 18, Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Brian R. Sullivan signed a consent agreement that greenlights Meijer to build a massive 159,000-square-foot store. This big box will sit pretty on Five Mile Road, just west of Beck Road, and promises to become a hot spot for groceries and more.
But wait, there’s more! Alongside the main grocery store, shoppers can look forward to a pharmacy, a garden center, and a convenient and snazzy 3,300-square-foot convenience store complete with a gas station. All of this will be built on a substantial 21-acre site that has been in the spotlight for quite some time.
A Bumpy Road to Approval
Last summer, Meijer faced a significant setback when the Plymouth Township Planning Commission shot down their approval request. Not one to back down easily, the company took legal action, filing a lawsuit after a tense June meeting that drew over two hours of comments from locals, many of whom expressed concerns over the potential for increased traffic, crime, and competition with existing grocery stores.
In a bid to resolve the ongoing drama, Meijer and their development partner, Redico Holdings, entered negotiation talks shortly after filing the lawsuit. The result? A court agreement that seems to balance everyone’s needs!
Tackling Traffic and Other Community Concerns
One of the main points of contention was the traffic that a new store could bring to the area. Township Supervisor Kurt Heise shared that the agreement addresses these issues head-on. “We’ll be creating three driveway entrances for the Meijer site, along with a traffic signal and other amenities,” Heise noted. “We’re also incorporating landscaping, pathways, and even green technology with EV chargers!”
But that’s not all! Meijer and Redico will pitch in a whopping $100,000 to the township’s tree fund, helping to keep Plymouth’s greenery thriving for the next four years. And, there’s good news on road improvements, too. The State of Michigan has allocated $10 million aimed at widening and strengthening Five Mile Road, an initiative that the township had been pushing for well before discussions about Meijer began.
Investments in the Community
As part of their effort to transform a brownfield site, Meijer and Redico are expected to invest around $20 million to clean up the property, with reimbursement from the state spread over 30 years. This is a significant step not only for the new store but also for the future of the community. The agreement even streamlines the process for future approvals—no need for a lengthy review by the planning commission or township board!
Looking Back and Forward
This isn’t Meijer’s first rodeo in Plymouth Township. Back in 2016, there was buzz about a Meijer store at the northwest corner of Five Mile and Beck, but the deal fell through when Redico decided to opt for residential development instead. Now, it appears this new plan is kicking into gear, and residents can soon enjoy a fresh grocery option in their neighborhood.
So, while the terms of the consent agreement have laid the groundwork for an exciting new chapter, keep your ears perked for more updates as this project develops! With the promise of a new Meijer store, Plymouth Township is gearing up for a brighter (and busier) future!
And as always, stay tuned for more community news that matters to you!
