Council approves 15-year CRA for Kroger Marketplace; developer to build roundabout

City staff presented a Community Reinvestment Area agreement for a proposed Kroger Marketplace at 1650 Sunbury Road, an approximately 18-acre site and a roughly 120,000-square-foot full-service store. The staff recommendation was approval to allow the project to break ground before winter and to secure construction of a single-lane roundabout and other off-site improvements as part of the agreement.

The staff presenter said, “The total project investment, including land, building improvements, and equipment is about $39,000,000,” and described job creation estimates (about 225 positions, roughly 75 full‑time and 150 part‑time) and an estimated $6,000,000 in payroll. The proposed CRA would be a 15‑year, 75% abatement; Kroger will submit annual reports to the city’s tax-incentive review committee to monitor job and payroll commitments. Several council members questioned the 75% abatement level and the absence of a separate school compensation agreement; staff said the exemption triggers mandatory income tax sharing with the school district and career center under Ohio CRA laws and that they had contacted the schools but did not receive an affirmative compensation agreement.

Representatives from Kroger, including Danielle Pollack, director of economic development for Kroger Co., said the company was pleased with the partnership and infrastructure commitments. Council voted to suspend the three-reading rule and then adopted Ordinance 25‑49 by roll call. The ordinance authorizes execution of the CRA agreement and directs staff to work with Kroger on NCA enrollment and roundabout construction plans.