Council approves 15-year CRA for Kroger Marketplace; single-lane roundabout required

City Council on Sept. 8 approved Ordinance 25-49, authorizing the city manager to execute a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) agreement with The Kroger Co. for construction of a roughly 120,000-square-foot Kroger Marketplace at 1650 Sunbury Road and Glen Road.

The approval authorizes a 15-year property tax exemption at 75% and permits the city manager to sign the agreement immediately so the developer can break ground before winter. City staff told council the total project investment, including land and equipment, is about $39 million and the store is expected to create 225 jobs (75 full-time, 150 part-time), about 150 full‑time‑equivalent positions and roughly $6 million in annual payroll.

City staff and council repeatedly framed the CRA as an infrastructure trade: Kroger will build on-site and off-site improvements, including an extension to Nutter Farm Lane, improvements to Glen Road and construction of a single-lane roundabout with a westbound slip lane at Mill Run. Staff said if Kroger chose not to build the roundabout, the CRA agreement could be terminated; council members said the abatement largely hinges on completion of that roundabout.

Nick Langford, project presenter in planning/economic development, told council the project will be enrolled in the city’s tax incentive review committee (TURC) process and Kroger will file annual reports monitoring job creation, payroll, and infrastructure delivery. The agreements also include Ohio CRA statutory requirements, including income-tax sharing with the local school district and career center because the abatement equals or exceeds 75%.

Danielle Pollack, director of economic development for Kroger Co., said Kroger will partner with the city on the infrastructure and bring grocery and pharmacy services to the area. Council members asked about the construction timeline; staff said the latest allowable start is first quarter 2026 but Kroger hopes to start earlier, with project completion targeted for second quarter 2027 and full staffing by 2030.

Council voted to suspend the three‑reading rule before final passage. The motion to suspend received roll-call support after two members voted no on the suspension; the ordinance itself passed on final reading with affirmative votes recorded by council members present.

The city estimated immediate annual revenue benefits to local taxing districts of roughly $115,000 in the early years (about $90,000 in property tax and $23,000 in income‑tax sharing) and projected larger amounts in later years. Staff emphasized the city would otherwise likely not pay for the roundabout (estimated at $2 million to $3 million) and that the CRA secures that infrastructure without direct general-fund expenditure.

Kroger and city staff said the agreement contains timeline and performance requirements; if milestones are not met, termination clauses and remedies are possible.

Council approved the ordinance by roll call; the mayor declared the motion carried.