Kroger wants to build a giant new marketplace at Tylersville and Cox roads and has offered to pay West Chester Twp. $1.8 million for the senior center property there, but the sale could leave seniors and others without programming.
West Chester Plaza owner Regency Centers was the only group to submit a proposal for the West Chester Activity Center. The activity center acquisition would allow for a new 95,545-square-foot Kroger, and the grocery giant and retail center owners have even bigger plans to build a 117,166-square-foot Marketplace.
The Regency proposal indicates that to build the Marketplace, Kroger would also need to purchase the Providence Bible Fellowship church and property from Chesterwood Village. Church officials declined comment.
Here are some of the concessions Regency Centers made at the township’s request:
• $50,000 in earnest money, up from a $15,000 deposit in the original offer
• The due diligence period was reduced from 18 months to 180 days, but two 90-day extensions can be requested at a cost of $50,000 each
• Conditions were clarified on the right to terminate if Regency can’t secure the church property and a parcel from Chesterwood Village
The programming at the activity center will need to be relocated, and Welch said the township is trying to find alternatives.
“We are interested in doing whatever we can within reason,” he said. “We’re trying to find a solution that makes sense for all interested parties without spending a ton of money.”
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