The not-too-distant future of Catoosa County includes a 92,000-square-foot Kroger superstore and a Kohl’s department store being built on Battlefield Parkway near the county’s Benton Place Campus.
That is what members of the Catoosa County Development Authority talked about after approving a request by Costco that will speed construction of that retailer’s store near the Interstate 75 and Cloud Springs Road interchange.
“This meeting was called as soon as Costco sent a draft saying they want written permission to get on site,” CCDA chairman Randall Peters said.
One agenda item required action, a request by Costco officials to move on site prior to the county completing site prep work and turning the property over to Costco’s construction crews later this month. The company wants to begin sewer and drainage system work immediately to assure the store’s opening in August.
After granting that request by a 7-0 vote, the board members heard about conversations between a Florida-based developer and local officials concerning another addition to the county’s retail landscape.
“Kroger developers love Catoosa County,” Peters said.
Preliminary plans are for Kroger to build a 92,000-square-foot superstore complete with fuel sales, grocery and pharmacy – much like one on Walnut Avenue in Dalton – that is projected to generate about $50 million in annual sales, he said.
Kroger would anchor the retail complex which now shows a Kohl’s department store, a restaurant and three out parcels in its site plan, Peters said.
“We are in an attractive area,” CCD board member Phil Erli said.
The sentiment was echoed by board member Rober Bowman who said, “Retailers are coming (here) because of the market.”
All plans are tentative at this time and Kroger officals have said they do not intend to open a store in Catoosa County during 2010.
“They (Krogers) love the site and are hoping to be ready to open by spring of 2012,” Peters said.