Problem is, both the discount-oriented Save-A-Lot chain and a developer proposing to build a full-service Kuhn's Market are targeting what is essentially the same area along Centre Avenue for their projects.
Now it will be up to the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the community to choose between the two, proponents of the rival projects say.
"I think that having an additional grocery store proposed on the same property is probably good news," said Rick Meyer, vice president of new market development for St. Louis-based Save-A-Lot. "That community for years has fought to have a quality grocer, and they haven't been successful."
That doesn't mean, however, that Save-A-Lot doesn't want the community to pick its plan to put a 16,000-square-foot-plus store touting up to 40 percent discounts on items sold there.
"Save-A-Lot remains absolutely 100 percent committed to open a store in the Hill District," Meyer said. "We also are 100 percent confident that from a quality standpoint and atmosphere, and from a pricing standpoint, we will deliver a first-class grocery for the community."
The second proposal, announced last week by developer McCormack Baron Salazar and the Hill House Economic Development Corp., calls for a 100,000-square-foot development that would include a 50,000-square-foot Kuhn's Market.
Supporters of the Kuhn's plan feel virtually the same way about the community having two proposals to consider, said Evan Frazier, CEO of Hill House.
"This is an opportunity, really, to look at what is the best fit for the neighborhood," he said.
Frazier believes the Kuhn's market would be best because it would answer the community's long-standing desire to bring a full-service grocery store to the neighborhood.
Also, the store would anchor a larger development that calls for a pharmacy, dry cleaner drop-off service, bakery, deli and flower kiosk, and the development team has said it is working to secure additional outlets, such as a bank and a restaurant.
Howard Slaughter, CEO of Landmarks Community Capital Corp., said rising food prices and the effort put in to acquaint the Hill District community with the Save-A-Lot plan are important facts to consider.
"Save-A-Lot submitted its full proposal to the URA on Monday, and they are ready to build this year if it is accepted," said Slaughter, who has been working to push the discount store's plan.
"The 40 percent savings that they offer will be a big savings for residents of the Hill District, and they also have pledged to hire local residents," Slaughter said.
Slaughter said the Save-A-Lot model, which stocks more than 12,000 items, drew a generally favorable response when officials showed off a similar store in Wilkinsburg to Hill District residents on a tour in April. Once the store opens, it will likely attract companion development that includes services that the community has sought, he said.
"The URA will study both proposals, and once that is completed, I will likely call a community meeting and put both proposals in front of the community," said Tonya Payne, city councilwoman and member of the URA board of directors.
That could take place before the end of July, said Payne, whose district includes the Hill.
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