Mayor Ralph on Tuesday addressed the Kent City Council after Kroger announced the East Hill Fred Meyer store will close in October, calling the news “surprising, disappointed” and saying the company cited operational reasons and crime in its decision. "This is a business decision being made in the interest of profitability and shareholders," Ralph said, adding she was "angry and frustrated and sad." The mayor said the company cited closures in Tacoma, Everett, Redmond and Mill Creek and that Kroger’s interim CEO framed the change as a business restructuring to improve long‑term shareholder value.

The mayor and several council members described the closure as more than a retail loss: a nearby grocery and pharmacy that served many East Hill residents, sat on major bus lines and provided everyday goods and prescriptions. Ralph said the city has advocated at the state level for more public‑safety and fiscal support and that city staff in economic development immediately began outreach to mitigate the impact. "We will continue to fight for our city," she said.

Public commenters at the meeting echoed concern about safety and economic decline. Logan Evans, a Kent resident, said the Fred Meyer closing was “a symbol of the oncoming decline of the city” and called for the council to study policies other cities used to retain retailers. TJ Peterson, who spoke about downtown planning, urged more public engagement on property decisions and said the closure should prompt Kent to look inward at local policies.

Ralph also noted some local crime indicators have improved: she said calls for service at the Fred Meyer location have declined to near pre‑COVID levels and that Kent had restored police staffing to budget, while acknowledging the city still seeks 35 to 40 more sworn officers. She listed steps Kent has taken in recent years — local changes to drug laws and a trespass ordinance tied to drug‑related convictions — as part of efforts to reduce retail theft and related crime.

No council vote or formal action regarding the Fred Meyer site was taken at the meeting. The mayor said economic development staff were actively working on outreach and that the city would continue advocating for county and state investments to bolster public safety and attract replacement retail or redevelopment.

The public comment period also included calls for more community input on downtown property requests for proposals and for the council to consider how land‑use and housing policy affect retail viability. Council member Larimer reminded the public that a Rediscover Downtown workshop and full discussion will take place in September where details on downtown plans and foot‑traffic data will be presented.