By: Jessica Cihacek
jcihacek@kcautv.com
A controversial project is one step closer to moving forward in Sioux City.
Tuesday night, the Planning and Zoning Committee agreed to rezone a corner of 19th and Hamilton Boulevard.
Semper Development approached the committee tonight, saying it would like to build a new Walgreens at that location. Now that the plan has passed in committee, it goes before the city council on January 28th.
For different reasons, of course, there's many people in favor of further development on Hamilton Boulevard.
Mark Renfro and his wife are one of seven homeowners who've already signed agreements to sell their property, if the Walgreens plans are approved. They say they like the idea of a respected business moving in to a disrespected piece of land.
Renfro says, "I have found syringes up there, I have found bedding, I've found changes of clothes, I'm serious, changes of clothes, shoes up there. Things such as that."
This plot of land is one of the only areas left undeveloped along Hamilton, and there's a big reason for that.
You see, in the past 10 years, commercial property experts say Hamilton Boulevard has become the second most popular place for businesses to set up shop in Sioux City.
And that's all thanks to the heavy traffic–flow.
Kyle Kelly the owner and broker of CenturyLink in Sioux City, says, "The commercial development is going to follow the people. Going to follow the traffic. Where there's people, there's going to be retail, especially, developed."
And that's exactly why the Walgreens developer says the store is interested in Hamilton Boulevard.
John Kohler, the architect for Semper Development, says, "They're looking at being in an area that has the traffic, is near residential areas."
But whether a new store will actually be built, all depends on a decision by the city council.
