It’s been a rumor for some time throughout the area and nothing official has been released on it. However, rumors that the Eastpointe Kroger would open a new facility at the site on the now vacated Kmart property have merit to it.

 

On Wednesday, a public meeting in a neighboring city gave the first public clue that it’s not just talk. And it came during the early morning Bridgeport Development Authority meeting.

 

Bridgeport Community Development Director Andrea Kerr told members that Kroger has submitted utility plans to the city engineer’s office for review and comment. 

 

“That’s been the word on the street,” said Kerr. “… It’s not definitive until they get permits, but they’ve submitted plans to us.”

 

That may bring the question as to why a project in the City of Clarksburg would come up at a Bridgeport Development Authority meeting and need approval on a portion of it from Bridgeport. Kerr said it’s simple.

 

“The city services water and sewage to all of Eastpointe,” said Kerr.

 

What makes it ironic is that Bridgeport purchases water from the Clarksburg Water Board for resell. Businesses at Eastpointe are customers as the large water tank easily seen from Route 50 above the former Kmart property provides the water. 

 

Clarksburg Mayor Ryan Kennedy said that the project is "a process" and that "permits still to be filed. However, he did acknowledge it is in the works.

 

While Kerr said it’s possibly a good thing, she did say if it moves forward there are traffic concerns. Emily Drive is already a traffic trouble spot that both Clarksburg and Bridgeport deal with regularly as a result of current traffic patterns.

 

Kerr, who emphasized it wasn’t official after the meeting, said the plans were a matter of public record. She also added that Kroger has submitted utility plans but has not acquired a utility permit to do the work. She also did not mention any specifics beyond the utility permits during the meeting. Kennedy also did not have specifics, referring to Clarksburg Interim City Manager Annette Wright for detaiils.

 

Wright said it was her understanding that the plan is to demolish the building. However, Wright forwarded any additional specific information that could be gathered to Adam Barberio of Clarksburg's Code Enforcment office. Barberio could not be reached.

 

Robertson, Loia, & Roof Engineers and Architects, out of Georgia, are the architects on the utility plans. Kroger Corporate could not be reached for comment.

 

Kmart was the first store at Eastpointe. It closed operations in April of 2018.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows the vacant Kmart at Eastpointe, while the entire Development Authority is shown below at Wednesday's meeting.