Proposed grocery store could sit in downtown
Preliminary planning stage of project could lead to halt due to lack of parking space
Kastenson, Dana
Issue date: 2/20/06 Section: Campus News
Saving money on groceries may be easier in downtown Eau Claire if the parking need is met.
While still in the planning stages, Save-A-Lot stores of Earth City, Mo., has had interest in an area near Barstow and Madison streets where a redevelopment project has been taking place.
City of Eau Claire economic development administrator Michael Schatz said, a 15,000 square foot building is still in the preliminary planning stage.
However, the project has hit a few problems, Schatz said. The needs for the store might not be met due to the 60 to 70 parking spots the company wants.
"The proposed area is in the North Barstow area, where a lot of the space is urban," he said. "Much of it is tall buildings and shared parking. There's not much land and the store would eat up a lot of space."
Although there are problems, many of the downtown residents would like to see another grocery store in the area.
Schatz said a survey was conducted a few years ago to see what residents thought the area was lacking, and one of the biggest answers was a grocery store.
Though not familiar with the Eau Claire area, freshman Jamie Arentz agrees with the residents of the area who want the store.
"It would be good for the neighborhoods around there to have a store," she said.
However not all students agree with this.
Junior David Prahl, who shops at Kerm's 329 Water St., sees no need for another store.
"I don't think for students there is a need," he said.
The chain operates more than 1250 stores nation wide that deal in limited assortment of products.
The nearest Save-A-Lot is about 56 miles from Eau Claire in Amery.
While still in the planning stages, Save-A-Lot stores of Earth City, Mo., has had interest in an area near Barstow and Madison streets where a redevelopment project has been taking place.
City of Eau Claire economic development administrator Michael Schatz said, a 15,000 square foot building is still in the preliminary planning stage.
However, the project has hit a few problems, Schatz said. The needs for the store might not be met due to the 60 to 70 parking spots the company wants.
"The proposed area is in the North Barstow area, where a lot of the space is urban," he said. "Much of it is tall buildings and shared parking. There's not much land and the store would eat up a lot of space."
Although there are problems, many of the downtown residents would like to see another grocery store in the area.
Schatz said a survey was conducted a few years ago to see what residents thought the area was lacking, and one of the biggest answers was a grocery store.
Though not familiar with the Eau Claire area, freshman Jamie Arentz agrees with the residents of the area who want the store.
"It would be good for the neighborhoods around there to have a store," she said.
However not all students agree with this.
Junior David Prahl, who shops at Kerm's 329 Water St., sees no need for another store.
"I don't think for students there is a need," he said.
The chain operates more than 1250 stores nation wide that deal in limited assortment of products.
The nearest Save-A-Lot is about 56 miles from Eau Claire in Amery.