CORRECTION: A previous version of this story had a paraphrased statement from Anderson Township Trustee Andrew Pappas that was removed for lack of citation.
CINCINNATI -- Kroger's retail development in front of its Anderson Towne Center store is on track to open this spring, minus two previously announced tenants.
The Eagle Food and Beer Hall and Currito, both announced a little over a year ago, are no longer part of the development plans, said Patty Leesemann, public affairs manager for Kroger.
The 50,000-square-foot grocery store expansion remains on hold. Earlier this year, Kroger paused store construction nationwide through 2017.
Passersby can already see a newly poured and striped parking lot for the Shoppes of Anderson Towne Center as well as a building's framework at Beechmont Avenue and Wolfangel Road.
Leesemann said construction on the shops will continue through winter, weather permitting.
Tenants announced to date include McAllister's Deli and Ambiance Nail Salon and Spa. The 18,000-square-foot project will be across two buildings and share the additional parking space with the grocery store.
Leeseman said there is no timeline established for construction on the Kroger store.
The development, along with the completion of sidewalks and other improvements on the north side of Beechmont Avenue, is part of the township's growth plan for its "downtown" project.
Unlike most towns, Anderson doesn't have a traditional downtown location. Part of the township's comprehensive plan, updated at the end of 2016, included continued expansion of the Towne Center site, previously designated as "downtown."
New development and remodeling in the north part of the center has created more storefront parking, sidewalks and landscaping. Kroger's retail project joins a year-old Ovations Cinema Grill, Bar Louie and Crunch health club, among others.
Steve Sievers, assistant administrator for operations for Anderson, said the sidewalk, curb and gutter work on the north side of Beechmont between Wolfangel Road and Asbury Road will be wrapping up this month.
The project then moves construction to the south side of Beechmont, he said. The work over the next five months also includes Duke Energy Ohio street lights with LED lights.
Final landscaping and road paving should happen by early summer, said Sievers.
Sievers said Prus Construction, a contractor for ODOT, plans to have two crews working along Beechmont during the winter, weather permitting. Some lane closure may be needed, but the plan is to only close lanes between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
