Menards submits site plan to build store on Jackson Road in Scio Township
The front elevation rendering of the proposed Menards building in Scio Township. Only a portion of the store is shown.
Courtesy of Menards
The Wisconsin-based company wants to build a roughly 160,000-square-foot store on a vacant property known as the former Farmer Grant land on the corner of Jackson and Staebler roads.
Menards plans to purchase 62 acres of the 165-acre site, and the store would occupy about 1/3 of the purchased property.
The site plan shows the Menards store would be set back from Jackson Road, with a parking lot in the front and a warehouse behind the store. The company could then sell four outlot properties that would result in additional development surrounding the store.
“We are looking for some complementary retail-commercial uses that would benefit from our traffic generation and provide some additional customer traffic for Menards as well,” said Menards spokesman Tom O’Neil via email.
Menards' Scio Township site plan shows the four outlot redevelopment areas in green. (The outlot on the right is partially cut off)
Lizzy Alfs | AnnArbor.com
Plans include two access ways off Jackson Road and one off Staebler. A traffic light is proposed at the westernmost access way on Jackson.
Menards — a privately owned company with about 270 stores in 14 states — has tried to enter the Washtenaw County market for years, including when Pittsfield Township voted to deny Menards’ rezoning request to build on Carpenter Road in 2010.
In early 2012, the company submitted a rezoning request for the Scio Township property, followed by a conditional use permit request. Site plan approval is the final step before the company can move forward with the project.
Scio Township’s Planning Commission will consider the site plan proposal at its 7 p.m. meeting on Monday, April 8.
Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.
Comments
Seasoned Cit
Thu, Apr 4, 2013 : 3:55 a.m.
Looks like we won't have to worry about Menard workers marching off to Snyder's home complaining about RTW laws.
leaguebus
Thu, Apr 4, 2013 : 3:32 a.m.
Scio needs to follow the AA lead and put a moratorium on Jackson Rd. development. LOL.
Susan
Thu, Apr 4, 2013 : 2:03 a.m.
I think we need another home store in Washtenaw County like we need a hole in the head. We have plenty of these stores already!!
motorcycleminer
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 8:08 p.m.
None of the " not in my back yard " drive out beyond the city limits of Oz anyway...it's way to scarry to tread into the real world...
Alan Goldsmith
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 7:22 p.m.
From The Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-donnelly/who-else-would-get-throug_b_829347.html "Wisconsin's richest billionaire, Menard's Inc. CEO John Menard Jr., would also probably get through. The flinty CEO gave Walker $2,000 last year, and is also virulently anti-union. The 71 year-old Menard, who has a net worth of $5.2 billion, reportedly threatens store managers at his home improvement chain with 60 percent pay cuts if a store's employees organized a union. According to Good Jobs First, Menard's isn't opposed to government-funded programs, though, having received taxpayer-funded loans and credits worth $300,000 across the Midwest."
Blerg
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 6:56 p.m.
Hopefully their site plan doesn't include anything like this for Honey Creek (taken from From MilwaukeeMag.com article "Big Money"): "Also in 2006: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued an administrative order against Menards for damaging a Sioux Falls, S.D., stream that ran through its property by filling in 1,350 linear feet of the stream and replacing it with a 66-inch storm sewer pipe."
Usual Suspect
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 7:43 p.m.
Are you aware there are streams all over this town that flow through pipes, including right downtown?
Blue Marker
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 5:51 p.m.
Shop local! I value the independent local shop owner. Not only will they care the most about your business but there is a good chane they'll buy something they need from you. Mike over at Stadium Hardware or Mark over at Fingerle will get my business.
Jack Gladney
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 5:36 p.m.
It's funny how a community that is always so up in arms about workers rights, the environment and corporate citizenship would be so welcoming to John Mernard's little operation. But what the hell; if I can save 40 cents on a 2x4 let's do it. Each man has his price.
justcurious
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 5:17 p.m.
Finally. I was wondering about this the other day.
Mackinac Straits
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 5:02 p.m.
Hooray, finally. Welcome to the neighborhood jobs and more good products at great prices. And property tax dollars. Since we missed out on that with Costco at Zeeb/94, this is a good 2nd prize.
Mick52
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 4:48 p.m.
Great news, can't happen soon enough.
fjord
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 4:26 p.m.
Menards is owned and micro-managed by a paranoid, vindictive, virulently anti-union sociopath. I wouldn't buy so much as a screw from John Menard. They're truly the Walmart of home improvement — they pay next to nothing, they strong-arm suppliers, and they run local businesses out of town. Not one dime from me, ever.
Mick52
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 : 10:20 p.m.
Fjord, if you have figured out how to make low paid employees happy I would like to hear that. I am aware however that employee surveys have determined that pay is not always as important to employees as other aspects of employment. You do not want to shop there, that is fine with me. For me, a much wider range of products at very good prices is important to me.
Basic Bob
Thu, Apr 4, 2013 : 2:23 a.m.
at least those anti-american business owners drive american cars
a2citizen
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 7:59 p.m.
suspect...and yet every single one of them thrives in an around Ann Arbor.
Usual Suspect
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 7:41 p.m.
How do Ann Arborites keep track of the monstrous list of companies they're supposed to be boycotting because the owners are too rich, too religious, too conservative, don't use enough green energy, or don't support the "right" causes? Are there special smartphones available that have an extra large amount of memory to hold all this data?
fjord
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 4:56 p.m.
"Much more selection and far better prices indicate it is a well run business." Actually, those things have nothing to do with whether it's a well-run business. As for the employees being "happy," that's what they're (under)paid to be.
Mick52
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 4:50 p.m.
Nope. I have visited he store in Jackson several times. The employees are happy and it is far better than Lowe's or Home Depot. Much more selection and far better prices indicate it is a well run business. If what you say is true, they would never have thrived.
Elijah Shalis
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 3:10 p.m.
Can't wait for their annoying commercial jingles.
justcurious
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 5:18 p.m.
Simple, quit watching commercial tv and save your money. Too many other things to do.
Boo Radley
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 2:58 p.m.
Lowe's could do much better than they do. Perhaps when they have Menard's across the road they will. Menard's is a great place to shop, with great selection and prices. Every time there is some good news published about our local area economy rebounding, it seems most of the comments are against it for all of the standard reasons we are accustomed to reading here. It means more tax income for Scio, more jobs, more diverse shopping for area residents, etc. And ... one more store on Jackson Road is not going to cause traffic gridlock. I also disagree that just because there is already a few places that I can eat, we shouldn't have anything different.
Lizzy Alfs
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 2:19 p.m.
For what's it worth, here is what O'Neil said at one of the meetings about how Menards differs from other home improvement stores: "It is an expansion of the traditional lumberyard that's one of the ways we've deemed to distinguish ourselves from a Lowe's or Home Depot."
DonBee
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 3:20 p.m.
Menards has a far wider selection of lumber than Lowe's or Home Depot. They are far more like Chelsea lumber or Fingerle in that sense. Unlike Fingerle, they stock many of the odd sizes lumber that you end up special ordering there. Lumber is graded like it is at Chelsea or FIngerle. The tool selection is worse than either Lowe's or Home Depot, but the lighting selection far exceeds both. flooring and wall coverings, they have a wide in stock selection. Their gardening department rivals a good greenhouse like Plymouth Nursery. Prices tend to be lower than Lowe's for the things they do stock. They have more in store staff than a Home Depot and the people seem to be better trained and more helpful.
This_is_Unbelievable
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 1:43 p.m.
The middle section of this article really defines this guy... http://www.milwaukeemag.com/article/242011-BigMoney
David Paris
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 10:32 p.m.
I especially love the part of the article where Menard fines an employee $2000 because he took time of work to bury two of his three premature babies. What a class act!
Jack
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 4:53 p.m.
This article offers a troubling portrait of someone who will have influence in Scio Township through his company's investment here. I encourage anyone with a conscience to give it a through review. If what you see disturbs you, and you are a Scio Township resident, get yourself to the next review board meeting.
Usual Suspect
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 3:16 p.m.
Hate the rich.
keepingupwiththejoneses
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 1:30 p.m.
Great that is all we need another lumber/hardware misc. merchandise, owned by the man who single handlely brought down the Entertainment Coupon book company. He's a tyrant and ruthless business man. We don't need him profiting from our community. There are plenty of other companies that Scio township could benefit from and this isn't one of them.
jcj
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 12:33 p.m.
A traffic light is proposed at the westernmost access way on Jackson. I hope they do not put a traffic light until some of the out lots are developed, and a need for one is shown.
leaguebus
Thu, Apr 4, 2013 : 3:43 a.m.
They need to get rid of the light and turn around in front of Meijers, just have westbound cars use the next turnaround West of Meijer, so all cars entering Meijer come from the west. They don't need a light at Menards either.
Lynn Liston
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 1:46 p.m.
I hope they carefully consider the traffic impact on the neighboring homes in Scio Farms Estates and the family homes further north off Staebler Road. The last thing we need is traffic backup.
Rabid Wolverine
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 12:37 p.m.
Agreed. TSC is getting along just fine without a traffic light there. No need to cause unnecessary traffic congestion with another stop light if there isn't the traffic volume required.
music to my ear
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 11:57 a.m.
people in the area like menards, I know I get tired running to the jackson city store just to shop there I too hope this will become a reality
dexterreader
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 11:54 a.m.
Can't wait!! It would be nice if they would put a Bob Evans or Cracker Barrel on one of the outlots. This area is definitely lacking in family-friendly sit-down restaurants.
Lynn Liston
Thu, Apr 4, 2013 : 2:09 p.m.
I forgot to mention the Westside- some of the best burgers in the county and a big favorite with sports teams. They have tables and they are very family friendly- I've seen Little League teams in there with their coaches after a game. It's a nice place and the recent improvements to the exterior and parking lot are a real enhancement to the Jackson-Zeeb intersection.
music to my ear
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 5:03 p.m.
yes i was mean I AM SORRY.
music to my ear
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 4:35 p.m.
now put down that whopper and get to menards, and fix something go buy some fishing gear .sometimes they have a hotdog cart selling hot dogs ther goes you some food.
Rabid Wolverine
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 3:14 p.m.
There's a Big Boy just down the road. Restaurants are the last thing that are lacking in the area.
Usual Suspect
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 3:11 p.m.
"Bob Evans or Cracker Barrel" Best describes as how a friend of mine used to describe Bill Knapps - "The place where senior citizens take heir parents."
Boo Radley
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 2:52 p.m.
I'm with you, dexterreader .... and don't have franchise phobia. Either one of those you mentioned would be a great addition to the area. Especially for those of us in Dexter.
Lynn Liston
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 1:56 p.m.
There are numerous places to dine in the area. Creekside, Classic Cup, Uptown Coney Island, Carlyle, Coffee House Creamery, Metzger's, Mancino's, the sandwich place in the former Mancino's- all along/near Jackson Road within minutes and all locally owned. If you are into franchise food there are McDonald's, Big Boy, Grand Traverse Pie Co, Burger King, Wendy's, Arby's, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Panera, They all have tables and you can take the whole family to any of them. We really don't need any more franchise food outlets.
clownfish
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 12:48 p.m.
Truck stop has tables, as does Big Boy, Creekside, Panera, Coney Island, Pizza Hut and Carlyle Grill. Go 4 minutes north and you have Aubrees, the former Lighthouse, Katies, Terry B's, Food Zone, Red Brick, Dexter Coney, and Alpha Coney.
thinker
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 11:25 a.m.
Great! Menards is a great store! Hope Scio doesn't shoot themselves in the foot and let this one get away!
motorcycleminer
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 11:07 a.m.
GREAT !.....Now if Scio doesn't drop the ball like they did with Costco....
Mackinac Straits
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 5:12 p.m.
I always thought is was funny that a group of nearby residents, living right at a major US Interstate interchange, took exception to Costco based on traffic concerns. I guess it was okay for the exit traffic to head south, but not north (sorry Webster Twp and Dexter). It's only a matter of time until the Washtenaw County Road Commission's budget problems and the desirability of their Interstate-fronted vacant land intersect with another developer willing to lease it.
Usual Suspect
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 3:09 p.m.
motorcycleminer, in case enough people haven't said it yet, the township didn't "drop the ball" with Costco. They pushed for multiple entry points with a new stop light just for themselves, and didn't get it. Scio Township has done a fantastic job in maintaining the sanity of Jackson Rd and Zeeb Rd, working hard to make sure it doesn't end up a total mess like Washtenaw Ave between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti or State and Eisenhower around the Briarwood area.
Lynn Liston
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 2:01 p.m.
Scio didn't drop the ball, local residents objected to the location of Costco. Personally, I don't see how a Menard's is going to enhance the area along Jackson Road, and think it will be a noise and traffic nuisance to those living nearby. I really don't understand why it is being located here when we already have a Lowe's, Meijer, and two tractor stores, with two excellent hardward stores on Stadium a short drive away. Our needs for home improvement and gardening are already being met in excess.
pb
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 1:13 p.m.
Besides the fact that Scio didn't "drop the ball" with Costco, it is evident that the Menard's development is going to occur, given the use permits and rezoning already on the books.
SemperFi
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 12:42 p.m.
If Costco would have proposed building on a site that was zoned for their needs, it would have been built. The Scio board acted in the best interests of it's citizens.
clownfish
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 12:41 p.m.
For the umpteenth time, Scio did not "drop the ball". Citizen involvement in politics is why Costco was denied their permits. The residents on and around Wing Dr opposed the project. I know this does not fit with the government is evil and stupid conspiracy theories, but it is how it went down.