A Rockford, Ill., developer looking to revive the property once anchored by a Kmart at has so far been unable to reach a redevelopment agreement with city officials.
Except for a U-Haul store selling moving supplies and boxes, the sprawling property has remained vacant since the Kmart closed in 2019.
Orput Companies Inc.’s CEO Gregory Orput is asking Rockford for special use permits needed to turn the 105,939-square-foot building into a self-storage facility with outdoor truck parking.
He would also build at least two new multi-tenant buildings, both larger than 6,500-square-foot, redevelop a former KFC as a new restaurant and construct a new quick-service restaurant with a drive-thru.
A third multi-tenant building is possible.
Plans also show the installation of a large green space and stormwater detention area in the center of what is now a huge parking lot. Retailers and restaurants have not been identified.
The project would be redeveloped by a subsidiary company, Mulford & State Development LLC., if an agreement can be struck with city officials.
A proposed development agreement was scheduled to be considered by the Planning & Development Committee but when city officials and Orput could not finalize it, the agenda item was to be delayed, City Administrator Todd Cagnoni said.
