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Economic development director outlines projects, retail numbers and push to fill Shoppers vacancy
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Summary
Director Michael Williams reported a $600M+ retail sales figure for 2024, state allocations for local projects, creation of a College Park CDC, industrial and retail transactions, and ongoing efforts to fill the 32,000 sq ft former Shoppers Food Warehouse space; council pressed for grocery-store options and vacancy lists.
The city’s economic development director summarized 2024–25 business activity and near-term priorities for College Park.
Michael Williams told the council the department tracked about $600 million in retail sales and is launching a College Park Community Development CDC to focus on North College Park and other neighborhood investment. He highlighted state funding allocations for local projects and named several private transactions, including purchases in Downtown Berwyn and industrial-site deals that should bring jobs to the city.
Williams described the 32,000 square feet left by a Shoppers Food Warehouse tenant as the council’s top retail vacancy concern; he said the city is negotiating with another grocery operator and prefers a single large grocer rather than subdividing the space. Council members emphasized food access and asked staff for a vacancy inventory and an itemized list of businesses that received city economic assistance so they can assess equity across districts.
Williams also reported a series of industrial and commercial wins — tenant interest in Stone Straw and a large 72,000‑square‑foot building lease that could yield hundreds of local jobs — and previewed a virtual visitor center and expanded small-business assistance programs.
Council members asked staff to share vacancy and assistance data with the council to support strategic decisions about incentives and infrastructure. Williams agreed to provide those details in a follow-up packet.
The presentation closed with council praise for staff outreach and a pledge to continue work on the downtown retail and grocery vacancy issue.
