Walker-based supercenter retailer Meijer Inc. wants to expand its footprint up north with a new store just south of Traverse City.
The family-owned Meijer filed plans with Blair Township in Grand Traverse County for a 161,221-square-foot store near Chums Corner, where U.S. 31 joins M-37. The preliminary plans call for a new Meijer supercenter with a garden center, curbside pickup area and drive-thru pharmacy, plus a gas station and convenience store.
The proposed store, first reported by Traverse City-based Ticker, would be immediately west of an existing Menards home improvement store, just west of the intersection.
Blair Township planning commissioners will hold a special meeting on April 1 for a special use and site plan review. If they approve the application, it will then go to the township board of trustees for consideration on April 22.
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Cascade Township-based civil engineering company Fishbeck sent a letter of intent to the township on Feb. 14 on behalf of Meijer that stated the new store will “provide retail services to the greater southern Traverse City area.”
While both the store and adjacent gas station would operate from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m., Meijer has requested flexibility to operate 24 hours a day in the future.
In an email to Crain’s Grand Rapids Business, Meijer External Communications Manager Cara Lutz confirmed the Blair Township plans, adding that the retailer “currently has a contract to purchase that site” and has begun the required municipal approvals process.
“It is too early in the process to speculate on a construction timeline,” Lutz said.
According to Blair Township property records, the 33-acre lot is currently occupied by a four-bedroom residential home. The house sits on a 4.5-acre parcel of land, while the 28-acre parcel next door sits empty.
Both properties are registered to the same entity.
According to the letter of intent, Meijer has worked with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to conduct a traffic study to determine recommendations for the proposed development. The study recommended cross-access with the adjacent Menards, the addition of a signalized intersection at the main driveway to the Meijer store, a deceleration lane at the western entrance and right in/right out only configuration on the eastern entrance, per the letter.
The study was submitted to MDOT for review and approval in January.
According to the letter, both Fishbeck and Meijer are working with MDOT and Blair Township “in an effort to shorten the timeline needed for both approvals.”
Blair Township Supervisor Nicole Blonshine told Crain’s Grand Rapids Business that while the proposed supercenter remains in the early stages of the approval process, “right now, this application sounds like it could be a very positive development for Blair Township.”
Blonshine noted the job opportunities, tax revenues, workforce housing developments being built across the street from the proposed Meijer and “simple convenience” as positive improvements for the area.
Fishbeck noted that Meijer is waiting to prepare a construction and grand opening timeline for the store until the site plans and special land use are approved by the township. After the necessary approvals, Meijer will move forward with final design plans for the supercenter, apply for construction permits and public water and sewer connections, among other required actions.
“The proposed Meijer Supercenter, Convenience Store and future Outlot will be an attractive addition to the Chums corner commercial area and provide quality grocery, gas and retail services to the community,” according to the letter of intent.
Meijer currently operates two other supercenters in the Traverse City area. The original location at 3955 S. US 31 in Garfield Township just over the city’s southern border is about 5 miles away from the newly proposed store. Meijer most recently in 2015 opened a supercenter northeast of the city at 4900 M-72 in Acme Township.
The Acme Township location was mired in legal controversy for years, dating back to 2006. Meijer ended up paying more than $190,138 in fines in 2008 for violating state campaign finance laws, including payments it made to the predecessor of Grand Rapids-based SeyferthPR for its work on a township recall election after the board tried to block the big-box development.
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