Plans for a new Schnucks grocery store on Springfield's near west side, despite months of protests and uncertainty, is moving forward.
Aldermen gave final approval to the land use plans at Tuesday's meeting. Protestors showed up at park board, city council and zoning board meetings for months to protest everything from the deforestation of Griffin Woods to zoning variances. Mayor Mike Houston doesn't understand why, as no one so much as made a peep about the woods until it was learned the Catholic Diocese was selling 20 acres of it.
The Diocese could have sold a total of 38 acres to developers, but sold only 20, meaning 18 acres will remain undeveloped.
The plans call for a new shopping center at Bruns and Washington anchored by a Schnucks store. The city council's committee of the whole will hear plans for a Schnucks on the east side next week.
(posted 12:04 a.m. 08/22/2012 by Alex Degman)