Pete’s Fresh Market to be Green and Grocery

Project managers working to bring a new Pete’s Fresh Market shopping center to the West Side at Madison Street and Western Avenue reported this week that they will close on the property and file for building permits next month, March 2011.

This project was approved by the City Council by way of a redevelopment agreement authorizing the sale of the property. Subsequently, Pete’s Fresh Market has made a deposit of two-thirds of the property’s purchase price.

In March, Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd) plans to introduce ordinances to vacate alleys within the project’s boundaries. Pete’s Fresh Market intends to close on the property and gain site control so that workers can relocate utilities within the site. The groundbreaking and construction can’t begin until the utility work is done. According to Ald. Fioretti’s office, they anticipate breaking ground by June 2011.

This area has been called a “food desert” and there was plenty of community interest in the site, and what outfit would be chosen to develop the site, which had been owned by the city.

When Pete’s Fresh Market closes on the property the 2nd Ward office will have information on jobs in construction and in the store itself, once it opens.

This Pete’s plans some “green” features, and all of the amenities that were requested through the 2nd Ward community process. Those included fresh produce, quality service, no liquor sales in the grocery store, no liquor store adjacent to it. The Alderman’s message stressed that this store is to be 100% groceries, produce and bakery. It will not have a pharmacy, or sell toys, and other non-grocery items.

You can contact the 2nd Ward office of Ald. Fioretti for updates on the proposed store.