The plan to build a Lidl grocery store on the corner of South Elm Street and Gate City Boulevard may have been controversial on social media, but it wasn’t at the Greensboro City Council meeting.
The City Council voted 9-0 to approve the sale of the 3-acre lot by the Greensboro Development Commission to Lidl at the Tuesday, Feb. 15 meeting. The Greensboro Development Commission had voted unanimously to approve the project.
The City Council was so anxious to vote that it was willing to forego the presentations by the Greensboro Planning Department and representatives of Lidl and hearing from the 12 people who had signed up to speak on the item.
However, Mayor Nancy Vaughan slowed down the process and said they should hear the presentations and from the public before voting.
Although some questions were raised, mainly about parking, no one spoke against the project.
Russ Clegg from the Planning Department said that with council approval, according to the current timeline, the sale to Lidl was expected to close in April 2023. He said that after the closing Lidl had five years to start construction of the 25,000- to 36,000-square-foot grocery store and parking lot with at least 100 spaces.
Councilmember Justin Outling said that he understood that parking was a concern in the area, “but notwithstanding that fact and that reality, I believe that this proposal is of great benefit to our community.”
Outling also noted that this project didn’t require incentives from the city and the City Council had in the past paid incentives for grocery stores to locate in food deserts.
Councilmember Yvonne Johnson said, “It is wonderful to see us addressing that need in an area that is a food desert.”
Councilmember Sharon Hightower noted that the grocery store may create more interest in building housing in the area and that redevelopment projects take years.
She said, “I’m 100 percent behind supporting this project.”
Vaughan said, “I know that groceries, fresh groceries are really important to this area and having it on Gate City really gives it a high profile. I think it will benefit from people throughout the city shopping there.”
She added, “I hope we can get that timeline a little tighter.”
Lidl has unopened or unbuilt stores all over NC. One just north in Rockingham county was built but never opened. Hopefully this works out but our leaders have backed numerous failed downtown businesses in the past that failed spectacularly like the Morehead Foundry complex and the former Bin33 and Work restaurant.
Will they accept food stamps?
Folks outside food lion (just down the food desert road) will pay for your groceries for a bit of cash.
So true John. There are people at Food Lion on Meadowview that’s always trying to sell their American Eagle reparations card (chris). Especially on Saturday and Sunday mornings
My my… I wonder how many of you folks how claimed to witnessed all of the abuse of the Food Stamp program actually took the time to REPORT IT. Companies can lose the privilege of doing business if said abuse is going on. C**p some of the comments make me wonder if you all are taking advantage of this. Shame on you. SHAME on all of you.
I spoke to the manager she spoke to the people and I got cursed at when I left the store. Two days later the same people were back out front again. It’s. not worth getting killed over. So sc$$w you kf so high and mighty. Don’t pass judgment on anyone too quickly
I hope those fresh groceries Queen Nancy mentioned will still be fresh in 5 years or more. This seems a bit ridiculous, giving someone 5 years to put their money where their mouth is.
Lidl struck a great deal here. Can we all buy property at today’s dollar value and then sell it in 5 years?
I know a young couple with an infant who were offered $200.00 of Food Stamps for $100.00 cash, at Food Lion/Hicone Road
These people should be thoroughly vetted before receiving government aid!
I have never head of people selling their food stamps. When I was on it we never did that as well so not sure where these takes are coming from. Like what’s the logic of paying 200 for 100 dollars???