Politics & Government

Dollar General Plans Face Some Opposition

Store expected to open within the "next couple months." But first, the design plans must first get the OK from the city's architectural board of review.

A on Detroit Avenue within the “next couple months."

But the proposal will face some opposition from city leaders at the city’s architectural board of review meeting on Thursday.

“I will oppose it tooth and nail, since it represents not the highest and best use, but the lowest and worse use,” said Ward 2 City Councilman Tom Bullock.

Find out what's happening in Lakewoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He said he plans to attend the ABR meeting on Thursday to address the proposal.

“I want to challenge us all to look to the toolbox used in other cities, who have successfully managed — or at least better managed — and zoned commercial development than we have,” Bullock added.

Find out what's happening in Lakewoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

last week about the proposal for the national discount chain moving into the 9,000-square-foot, now-vacant former home of .

The building recently changed ownership.

City officials began looking to attract a new tenant when to its new home on the site of the a couple blocks away.

Four local tenants — including a local breakfast restaurant, the owner of a “well-established” Lakewood restaurant, a local hardware store and a fitness center — stepped forward.

To no avail. 

“We cultivated these leads, and in spite of that this owner made a lazy decision,” Dru Siley, the city’s director of planning and development, told Lakewood Patch last week.

According to the proposal, the store will open within the next couple months. 

Included in the design plans for the store are the addition of handicap accessible restrooms; new front doors; removal of doors at the rear of the building; and new siding.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here