MACON, Ga. — The Macon-Bibb Planning and Zoning Commission denied plans to bring a storage center to the former Kroger on Pio Nono Avenue in Macon.
"It was big and it was a big store to be at," said neighbor Eugene Millar.
Millar says he was disappointed when he learned the store closed its doors more than a year ago.
"It was sad to see it go," said Millar.
On Monday, the county's planning and zoning commission struck down plans to bring a 569-unit self-storage center with a 3 to 1 vote.
Neighbor Glenn Taylor was a frequent shopper when the 84,000 square-foot space was open to customers.
"Most people had moved from over here because the grocery store closed," said Taylor.
Taylor says he knows many people who walk for miles to get to the nearest grocery store.
"We have to go too far to go to a grocery store," said Taylor.
So he says he betting on a developer to bring one in to the current space after the planning and zoning decision.
"They should feel good. We don't no storage units. We got a lot of storage units in Macon," said Taylor.
Axela Development Group, the developers who applied for the storage center, say they were shocked the board denied their plans. They told 13WMAZ they believe the chances of another grocery store moving in are "close to zero from what they understand."
Millar says he's not against a storage center, but he wants to see a closer grocery option as well.
"If you cut it in half and divide it up, and maybe a store on one half and something else on the other half, I think that's a possibility," said Millar.
The developers who applied to bring a storage center to the space told 13WMAZ they thought bringing in a storage facility and maintaining the property would eventually attract someone who wants to bring a grocery store in.
Alex Morrision with the Urban Development Authority says his organization was considering the location as a potential site for the relocation of the state farmer's market that is currently on Eisenhower Parkway.
The Kroger previously at the Pio Nono location closed due to declining sales and profit on April 20, 2018, after being open for 21 years.
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