FROM STAFF REPORTS
An analysis of two parcels owned by the City of Statesville along Shelton Avenue concluded that the sites will not likely attract private development of a grocery store.
Retail Strategies evaluated city-owned property at 1832 and 1809 Shelton Avenue and determined that those sites are probably too small to attract a large grocer and the cluster of smaller retail businesses that typically accompany grocery stores.
Matt Jaeger, a portfolio director for Retail Strategies, conducted the analysis at the request of city officials. During Monday’s council meeting, he said that the existing grocers in the Statesville market more than meet consumer demand and that the market is “potentially over-grocered.”
Construction costs and interest rates also make the city-owned sites challenging for attracting a developer, Jaeger said. But a small chain, such as IGA or Piggly Wiggly, could find the sites attractive, he said.
Retro-fitting the former Food Lion site on Shelton Avenue, which is owned by the Statesville Housing Authority, would be more cost-effective for a developer than building on a new site, Jaeger said.
Based on his analysis, Jaeger told the council that the city-owned properties could attract development in several other business segments, including building materials and supply, health and personal care, restaurants with drive-thrus, gas stations and self-storage companies.
Councilman Frederick Foster has been a strong advocate for recruiting a grocery store in that area of Statesville for years. The analysis by Retail Strategies was undertaken after Foster asked the council in June to approve a Request for Proposals for a grocery store on the city-owned property.
But council members declined to approve a motion for the RFP until after the market analysis was completed.
Following Jaeger’s presentation on Monday, the council decided to schedule a meeting with the Statesville Housing Authority to discuss possible redevelopment of the old Food Lion site.
At least one councilmember was skeptical of the effort.
Steve Johnson, who owns a business on Shelton Avenue, told his fellow council members that the analysis confirmed what the grocery industry had already decided — that there was no need to build a new store in that area.
“We just heard there is a glut of grocery stores in Statesville … a $106 million deficit,” Johnson said.
He said he would not support a plan that involves using public funds to build a grocery store.
“If it involves any money and risk of taxpayer money to make this project work, no will be my answer … absolutely not,” Johnson said.
Foster and Councilwoman Doris Allison pushed back.
“We need some action, Steve. We’ve been a food desert for 30 years,” Foster said.
“We have people who need to have a grocery store,” Allison told Johnson. “Your vote is just one.”
A food desert? Am I missing something? It’s less than 4 miles from 1832 Shelton Ave to THREE Food Lions and Compare Foods. The Food Lion on Davie Ave and Compare foods are under 3 miles from that location.
Three miles is a long way for older folks who no longer drive or have other ready forms of transportation to walk to and from the store carrying their groceries, especially in blazing heat and bitter cold. Plus — I would definitely shop the Piggly Wiggly.
Good point, Pattie! Try crossing Garner Bagnal Blvd on foot!
Four miles is a long way to walk for what groceries you can carry home yourself.
Matt, ask your grandmother to do it on foot tomorrow.
Sure thing, I’ll just dig her up.
There is assistance out there for people who need it from government programs to non profits and church groups, much less the ubiquitous third party delivery companies. Call 211, call your local church.
Not everyone is fortunate enough to own a car. Not everyone can afford taxis. 4 miles with an arm full of groceries wouldn’t exactly be easy for an elderly person or someone with physical limitations.
Does that make sense to you now?
I agree! 4 miles on foot is a long way to carry groceries home. Then you, drive your car, and go pick the groceries up and deliver to the elderly or disabled (or those not fortunate enough to have reliable transportation) since you have all the sense. People get me with statistics, as opposed to reality. You probably have several in your neighborhood.
I agree. On top of that; we do have CATs transportation here in Statesville now. We do have transportation and people can afford it. Just take a look at where the money is going in that area alone. Beer, cigs and lottery tickets still seem to sell high. Our goals and missions in this city are so off; it makes me sick.
Is Steve Johnson afraid of competition on Shelton Avenue? Shelton Avenue is a gateway into the city of Statesville. Not only that, but a grocery store would bring more businesses and more jobs.
I’m not against a grocery store or anything that would spruce up this area. But taxpayer money? Sell the property on 21 for the $650,000.00 offer and use that money. Analysts are not cheap. I’m sure we dropped a pretty penny there. The needs of that community are important considerations. An out of town analyst deals in facts not reality of the needs.
Infrastructure is vital to the growth and sustainability of cities. That’s a fact. Put your subtle racism aside and let’s help our neighbors.
If you see racism in the above statement then perhaps you need to look in a mirror.
Folks be stealing out of YokeFellow, and both Dollar Generals in that same area How long you think a grocery store will last there? It’s unfortunate, but that’s what the analysis was there for. Deal with the facts and not feelings. At some point, we the people of Statesville have to have those tough conversations and stop avoiding what needs to be said and/or pointing the finger at someone else but not holding your peers and family members accountable!
Everyone goes to the lowest point trying to win. Not everybody has a car! Try walking with grocies while old in a blizzard! Everything should be free! Living is a human right! 😄
I remember when Food Lion had the store on Shelton Avenue. It was their least profitable store in North Carolina. The theft was rampant. Even with full-time security guards AND theft-deterrence posts at the exits, the meat department never made a profit. I worked for Food Lion then, and no one would accept a transfer to that store. That should say something.
From Shelton Avenue to Davie Avenue is a long way. Until it happens to them, they haven’t got a clue. By the way, there is another orange barrier down on Center Street. It’s been there so long that weeds are growing up around it.
What does South Statesville want there? What do the people who live there feel would be most helpful to the community?
I agree, let’s help clean up the Community first, then ask what they think is the best for them.
I thought the Dollar Stores were the start of gentrification, but without the Community helping to stop the crime, sadly not.
It’s just not a good spot for a store, considering the theft and crime rates in the area. How about we focus on creating a safer community then maybe that will attract a store?
I wish people and businesses on that side of town would just stop paying their taxes since the city of statesville does nothing but ignore and neglect them.
I don’t think a supermarket competes with auto parts, but I could be wrong.
You probably would not believe me if I told you how many times Steve has helped out people in that community.
We want a Wegmans! We want the BEST.
Yes, that would step up. Has Trader Joe’s been put on the list?
What Doris and Freddy really want is for the food to be bought by the taxpayers, delivered, put in cabinets for the folks. Seems so much better than having to earn money, go shop, and take care of yourself. Government doing everything for you is soooooo much better.
Better use of property on the south side would be an emergency room / hospital with all the violence and shootings there !!! The crime would have to stop before I could see any investment in that area.