Moraine annexing land for new Kroger

Moraine is taking steps to annex more than six acres in Miami Twp. in a move to bring a new, larger Kroger to Alex-Bell Plaza.

The plaza, which Kroger bought in 2014, straddles the boundaries of the city and the township. The annexation is being sought because it "makes for a much smoother transition" as the Cincinnati-based chain moves forward to replace its 38-year-old store with a Kroger Marketplace, Moraine Economic Development Director Michael Davis said.

The future store will be located in Moraine just north of the company’s existing 57,000-square-foot site at 2917 W. Alex-Bell Road, which is now in Miami Twp. The future store’s parking area will include land now in the township, city officials said.

“As we work through the development, zoning, etc., it would be easier to deal with one municipality rather than two,” according to an email from Patty Leesemann of Kroger’s Cincinnati/Dayton Division. “It is our intent that once development is done that the building and parking lot be in the same municipality.”

Kroger has filed a petition with the Montgomery County Commission to have Moraine annex 6.525 acres from Miami Twp. On Thursday night, the Moraine City Council approved resolutions supporting the change.

Kroger’s annexation petition, which names Davis as the agent, is expected to be considered by county commissioners next month.

Kroger is in the development stages of the project, including considering the futures of plaza tenants that may be impacted by a new store location, according to Leesemann. It does not have a schedule of when plans for the new store will move forward.

The current store will remain open until the new one is completed, city officials said.

Kroger bought the Alex-Bell Plaza in 2014 for $2.3 million. The city began discussions with township officials “a while back,” said Moraine City Manager David Hicks.

Kroger Marketplace stores are generally larger locations that offer a wider selection of goods, including home fashion, bed and bath, kitchen and small appliances, home office products and toys, according to the company’s website.

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