Target in Trotwood to close in May as planned

Trotwood City Manager Mike Lucking and Mayor Joyce Sutton Cameron traveled to Minneapolis to hand deliver a community-led online petition against the store’s closing that had nearly 2,300 signatures. Lucking and Cameron asked the retailer to reconsider its decision to shutter the store.

“My primary goal was to honor the request of our neighbors to deliver the petition,” Mayor Joyce

Sutton Cameron said in a press release issued Tuesday by the city. “We wanted to take the opportunity to express to Target the challenges we will face as a region with the store leaving our community.”

Another purpose of the trip was for Lucking and Cameron to speak to corporate leaders about what would happen to the store’s building if the closure occurred.

According to the release, Lucking posed several questions to Target executives about the building maintenance, security and fire protection.

“I wanted Target to offer a plan and commitment about how they will maintain the facility once it is vacant, making sure it was up to the standard both parties expected, and they agreed,” said Lucking in the release.

“They (Target) agreed to all maintenance, security and landscape upkeep and to work with the city on building reuses which could include re-purposing or working with Trotwood’s Community Development Corporation for lease options. Target agreeing to this request is a big win for the community,” Lucking added.

Target announced in January that the store at 2800 Shiloh Springs Road and another in Middletown would close in May.

“Target will be actively marketing the property for sale,” Christensen said.