HOWARD, WI (WTAQ) – A Michigan-based retailer and grocer has formally filed site plans for a supercenter in the village of Howard.
The proposed site is east of Highway 41 and south of Shawano Avenue, across from Mills Fleet Farm.
“They have this land under control and preliminarily this looks very good, so I’m assuming unless there is so big change on their end, from our standpoint this is pretty close to done,” Howard Village Administrator Paul Evert told FOX 11.
Plans call for a 195,000-square-foot store with a gas station on the property that has been idle for the past 6 years.
“It’s great for the whole area because it means jobs it means 150 to 200 part-time and full-time jobs for the area,” Evert said, adding that the proposed development could add as much as $14 million in new tax base for the village.
As part of the Meijer plan, the village would extend Badgerland Drive under Highway 41 all the way to Taylor Street for better traffic flow and access to the store.
A public hearing is scheduled for later this month on preliminary zoning approval. Then plans will go to the full board. Evert says if Meijer gets the go ahead, work would begin at the site this year.
“Demolishing structures, then in 2016 they hope to break ground, and open in ’17,” Evert said.
(Additional reporting from FOX 11)
