SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
A city commission has cleared the way for a new Walgreens in Sioux City. Now, the project has to get approved by the City. This could mean more jobs, and access to a pharmacy. But, there is opposition.
It's one of the few undeveloped spaces along in that area.
Previous plans to put a Walgreens there have failed after meeting criticism and concern over construction designs.
But thing are looking different this time. The Planning and Zoning Commission has approved plans to rezone the land for development on the proposed site.
They recommend the project go to city council for approval. John Kohler an architect with Semper Development says the company is looking forward to the next step.
"It's a good location, we're very excited about seeing this project through, we worked on it a long time with staff, and you know we'd like to see it get approved when it goes to city council," Kohler said.
He says the development could bring in dozens of new temporary, and permanent, jobs they get the okay from the city.
But, some residents who have followed the project came to speak out against it.
"I have real concerns about the congestion, you know there's two blocks down, Kyle Kelly, has a great lot already landscaped and developed next to Jimmy Johns, for a Walgreens, where you wouldn't have the congestion," Tim Bottaro a Sioux City resident who lives close to the site.
Others also voiced concerns about building safety, and landscaping.
Meanwhile others say things like traffic and design are correctable issues, which are not deal breakers.
"You have 3 corners of the intersection already developed, there's one corner that's not, and that's the corner that really is an eyesore, of the Hamilton corridor. This is a way to improve it'" Bob Tiefenthaler a Sergeant Bluff resident with friends in the neighborhood near the site.
Kohler says from here he'll talk with staff and concerned residents to make revisions before he finalizes plans to present to the city council.
The city council is expected to review the commission's recommendation, and hear from the developer on January 28th.
If approved, a new Walgreens could be completed by the end of this summer.
Renderings of a new Walgreens on the corner of Hamilton Blvd. and 19th in Sioux City.
