Whitewater city officials in a statement released Tuesday said that plans have been submitted by ALDI to bring a 20,000-square-foot grocery store to Whitewater.
According to information released by city officials, a proposed location for the store is on the city’s west side in the Hawk Bowl and Hawk Bowl Apartments buildings, 1380 and 1398 West Main St.
“The property is zoned B-1 and does not need to be rezoned. The Pinnacle Engineering Group in Brookfield, which is working on behalf of ALDI, submitted plans for a grocery store on the site on (Monday) April 10,” the release stated, adding that the developer is proposing to demolish existing structures and clean the site up, install stormwater and other utilities, and create two developable pads. The eastern pad will result in the ALDI store and, as proposed, the other developed pad on the west side will be retained by the original property owners for future development opportunities.
Offering information about process, the release noted that the city’s Plan and Architectural Review Commission (PARC) will next review the submitted site plan and make its recommendation on Monday, May 8.
According to the release, “the site plan review is the only procedural matter ALDI must go through to receive clearance to build.”
“During site plan review, members of the Plan Commission will examine the proposed building for architectural integrity,” Chris Bennett, Whitewater ’s neighborhood services director, was quoted as saying in the release, adding that the commission also will look at the plan in terms of proposed landscaping, traffic, lighting, parking, street access and other factors, to make sure they are in alignment with city ordinances.
Once the site plan receives approval from the commission, ALDI representatives will next apply for building permits, the release continued.
In addition, the release noted, city staff will work with the developer to “outline an agreement to resolve the environmental contamination (asbestos) and redevelopment of the site.”
The agreement is anticipated to come before the Whitewater Common Council for approval in May or June, the release stated.
City staff will continue to work with the developer throughout the process to ensure construction adheres to engineering and public works codes, the release stated, adding that the grocery company’s plans are available for review on the Whitewater Municipal Building’s second floor at the public works/neighborhood services counter.
“Bringing a grocery store into town is long overdue. It is exciting to see it finally happening in Whitewater. A devoted standalone grocery store will be an asset to the community,” Bennett said within the release.
Also quoted within the release, Whitewater City Manager John Weidl said: “Staff is unanimously supportive of this project for its immediate impact providing vital access to affordable food and long-term investment in the new tax base and jobs for the community.”
About ALDI
According to the release, since 1976, ALDI’s number one priority has been to deliver great quality food at the lowest possible prices. ALDI is committed to making a difference in the communities it serves by offering market-leading wages and benefits for employees, using environmentally friendly building materials and stores to promote sustainability, and giving back to the community through product and financial donations.
A graphic shared by the city of Whitewater offers a glimpse of the site plan submitted by ALDI. According to information released by city officials Tuesday, the full plan is available for viewing at the city’s municipal building, 312 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater.
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The Whitewater Grocery Co., your (future) friendly neighborhood grocer supporting fresh and local products is excited about this! To have both ALDI and a community-owned grocery store that supports local vendors and farmers as well as the rest of Whitewater’s merchants will help erase the USDS Food Desert designation off the map. It’s a win for our entire community!