Menards completes purchase of 63-acre Jackson Road property for $7.4M
Home improvement chain Menards completed its purchase of about 63 acres of land in Scio Township this month.
Lizzy Alfs | AnnArbor.com
The price tag: $7.4 million.
Township records show the sale from Scio Properties LLC — an entity registered to Mel VanderBrug — to Wisconsin-based Menard Inc. was finalized June 6. The vacant property is on the southeast corner of Jackson and Staebler roads.
Menards has been trying to open a store in Washtenaw County since 2010.
Source: Facebook
The deal indicates Menards is one step closer to building a roughly 160,000-square-foot store and lumberyard on the site, which is known as the former Farmer Grant land.
The purchase includes three parcels, with a combined 2013 assessed value of $1,391,100.
Menards, a privately held company that operates about 270 locations in 14 states, has been trying to build a store in Washtenaw County since 2010, when Pittsfield Township Planning Commission voted to deny the company’s rezoning request for a property on Carpenter Road.
The company then targeted the property on Jackson Road in Scio Township, and it was granted a property rezoning and conditional use permit last year. In April, the Scio Township Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of Menards’ site plan, subject to several revisions.
Menards still needs site plan approval from the Scio Township Board of Trustees before it can begin construction.
The site plan shows the store and lumberyard would occupy about 1/3 of the 63-acre site, leaving room for about four outlot developments surrounding the store. Menards would be set back from Jackson Road, with a parking lot in the front and a warehouse behind the store.
Plans include two access ways off Jackson Road and one of Staebler. A traffic light is proposed at the westernmost access way on Jackson.
Menards spokeswoman Tom O’Neil said Menards is in the process of resubmitting its site plan, which will go before the Board of Trustees in coming weeks.
The front elevation rendering of the proposed Menards building in Scio Township. Only a portion of the store is shown.
Courtesy of Menards
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
1982
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 5:30 p.m.
We don't need it!! It doesn't make sense to have two big box home improvement stores so close to one another.
E Claire
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 8:15 p.m.
It does make sense when one store is Lowes. They are awful!
hawkhulk
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 5:05 a.m.
Scio Township has been trying to save face ever since they shut off Costco only to see Pittsfield Township agree with them. Now the shoe is on the other foot as Scio Township is poised to take Menards since Pittsfield Township rejected them. Payback is very interesting.
Usual Suspect
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 12:26 p.m.
Saving face is something you have to do after you've done something wrong or made a mistake. This wasn't the case with the Costco situation. You might not agree with the decisions made, but meh. There were very good reasons for not giving in to Costco's demand for multiple driveways and additional traffic lights. Let Pittsfield Township cave to their demands and add to their traffic mess. The reason a lot of my shopping money goes to Scio Township, even though I'm not a resident, is that they maintain the sanity of their traffic patterns.
zags
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 4:52 a.m.
Whatever. Won't shop there. Menards is a poster child for what's wrong with corporate America. Screw the little man, maximize profits. And while there at it, they want you to hate your government. Will never see my dime. http://www.alternet.org/story/151184/notorious_wisconsin_retailer_backs_afp-linked_anti-union_program
E Claire
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 8:14 p.m.
We should all hate our government. Right or left, they don't care about us. ps..wonder when the BI will visit my house due to this post?
zags
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 4:53 a.m.
"they're". dang spell check.
Indymama
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 4:22 a.m.
YEAH!! It is about time. This is a great business.
Dawn Divert
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 4:21 a.m.
Yeah finally! Im tired of driving to toledo or jackson to go to menards. More jobs now all we need is a cracker barrel and life will be grand .
Boo Radley
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 8:02 p.m.
Despite the other haters you attracted, I would also love to see a Cracker Barrel in that area. Maybe Menards can sell one of their outlots to them ... or maybe a Bob Evans .... and a Cheesecake Factory! No chain restaurant phobia with me.
leaguebus
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 2:54 a.m.
The traffic light there is unneeded. The light at Meijers is such a gas waster. If they would close the cross through in front of Meijer and have westbound traffic go to the next turnaround west to get to the store. All come out of Meijer then don't have to deal with the left turners directly in front of them just cars coming from the west.
Susan
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 1:58 a.m.
Just what we need: another home improvement store.
JimG
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 10:16 p.m.
I hope the Pittsfield planners and board members are reading this news, and meanwhile all that land on Carpenter Road south of I94 still sits vacant where Menards wanted to build and was driven away. Congratulations to Scio Twp.
T
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 10:31 p.m.
It's payback for Scio Twp. chasing Costco over to Pittsfield.
Arieswoman
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 10:05 p.m.
I am just sorry it was not allowed to be buildt on Carpenter Road. Pittsfields loss.
Ann English
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : midnight
An Arby's restaurant off Washtenaw Avenue closed, and there's an Arby's off South Baker Road. I don't know how far south on Carpenter Road from Ellsworth Menard's intended to build a store, but it probably wasn't as freeway-accessible as the Jackson-Staebler intersection. Take the Baker exit coming from the west, take the Zeeb Road exit coming from the east. If a Menard's had been built on Carpenter Road, people would choose between the Washtenaw east exit from southbound US-23 and the Bemis Road exit from northbound US-23. Definitely farther apart from one another than Zeeb and Baker are.
eze
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 9:52 p.m.
Menards is fine, but no more traffic lights on Jackson.
K Thompson
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 9:42 p.m.
No one wants it, no one needs it, duplicates what's there, another Big Box Store (are we short on those?), but, hey! Keep Chinese workers employed in pathetic factories, with pathetic wages, too many lights, American products? American workers? Michigan products? Michigan products? Um, no thanks.
E Claire
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 8:10 p.m.
YOU don't want it. We don't care what YOU don't want. I happen to WANT it and will be glad to see someone take business from Lowes.
DennisP
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 10:50 a.m.
Actually, I'm looking forward to it. As for Chinese workers, that' boat has sailed. I can go into any local hardware store and I won't find much made in America, let alone the USA. Stifling Menards isn't going to close the shipping lanes between California and China. What IS working is increasing prosperity in China. It's causing the workers to demand higher wages and causing the price of goods to go up along with high shipping costs. In fact, some industries are returning to US shores because of the increasing costs. So, continue to shop for value--not just price--the best product for the best price and you might see some of those jobs return...or, you'll see Made in India. In fact, John Kerry is there now...
Usual Suspect
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 2:52 a.m.
"No one wants it" Except for the people who want it.
pgagreg
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 9:55 p.m.
What are your suggestions for a company selling American products made by Michigan workers?
T
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 8:46 p.m.
You might not shop there because of political differences, but I'm sure the tax revenue will be more than welcome by the community.
T
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 10:20 p.m.
Jackson road was designed as a commercial corridor. Was anyone up in up in arms when running fit or the bike store opened on Jackson. I don't know if I'll drive farther out Jackson for a can of paint, But I will welcome new employment and revenue to the area.
K Thompson
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 9:44 p.m.
Tax revenue? - perhaps we should see the deal they struck before assuming much $?will enhance the lovely west side ever-developing sprawl.
Dog Guy
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 8:40 p.m.
I hope that this Menard's store will be built so that the Lowe's across the road will stop charging more than Lowe's stores in Jackson and Canton.
Ann English
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 11:49 p.m.
I'm thinking the same sort of thing; when smaller stores are right across a street from one another, they're more competitive. Not only pricewise, but keeping merchandise in stock, too. So why not large stores, too? Speedway, there at State and Ellsworth, lowered its gas prices after Costco opened nearby. In Ypsilanti, the O'Reilly Auto Parts is more efficient than at other locations, because there's an Auto Zone right across Washtenaw Avenue. Most likely, the two drugstores over there (CVS and Walgreens) also keep a closer eye on their competitor across the street.
Tesla
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 8:27 p.m.
What they need over there is a Dollar General.
Dylanger
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 10:21 a.m.
I get it! Funny
blueWhiskey
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 2:45 a.m.
@k Thompson....are you dry shaving me right now? Seriously?!?
K Thompson
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 9:45 p.m.
Please, no more trash stores with trash Chinese merchandise junking up the landscape and every unimaginative stripmall. You don't need what they sell.
CobraII
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 8:23 p.m.
Yea!! Build it now. Parking lot will be full of A2 libs as soon as its built.
E Claire
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 8:07 p.m.
lol!
Usual Suspect
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 2:51 a.m.
"A2 libs" That's redundant.
David Paris
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 11:23 p.m.
Wait... what???
A2since74
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 8:22 p.m.
No Costco but yes Menard's. Go figure.
Elaine F. Owsley
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 11:01 a.m.
I think the Costco situation was more about the location at Zeeb and Jackson and I94 and the problems with traffic routing.
Barb
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 7:43 p.m.
I appreciate the links people are posting about who runs Menard's - and while I won't tell other people what to do, it's good to know who you're giving your money to... especially when there's so much competition around. An educated shopper is a better shopper.
John
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 12:49 p.m.
Yup, educate yourself as to what Mr. John Menard really is and how he treats his employees. No thanks. http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2011/09/ koch-brothers-million-dollar-donor-club http://www.uppitywis.org/blogarticle/ menards-just-another-small-family-owned -business-hurt-obama-righ https://www.facebook.com/ note.php?note_id=108065849274440 http://forums.govteen.com/forward/3 58278-you-funding-gop-attack-ads.html
81wolverine
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 7:42 p.m.
It's amazing anything new gets built in Scio Township considering how long it takes. I'd have thought they'd be well underway with construction by now.
Lizzy Alfs
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 9:10 p.m.
@Ann - Not sure about that. Reminds me of the CVS/Walgreens thing, how you see them at the same intersections. I'm not sure if it's a strategy thing on Menards behalf.
DennisP
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 10:45 a.m.
No, I don't think so, Ann. Menard's are usually located in large, open areas near the outskirts of cities. That's where a lot of big box home improvement stores tend to locate. Perhaps, city or township planning causes them to end up there because of the large footprints and to control density. It's also easier to buy a chunk of open farm land to grade, add sewers and pave over than to try and purchase several lots.
Ann English
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 11:41 p.m.
I wonder if they deliberately try to locate near areas that already have a Lowe's; they tried to locate near the one at Ellsworth and Carpenter, now they're going to build one on the side of Jackson Boulevard opposite Lowe's out there. Down the road, but between the same I-94 exits.
Lizzy Alfs
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 7:28 p.m.
@zeeba: Here is the map. I'll link to one in the story, too. https://maps.google.com/maps?q=6285+jackson+ann+arbor&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&hnear=6285+Jackson+Rd,+Ann+Arbor,+Washtenaw,+Michigan+48103&gl=us&t=m&z=16
zeeba
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 7:23 p.m.
Map link would be nice - not everyone knows where Stabler Rd. is off the top of their head, or exactly which plot of land this is.
Connor
Fri, Jul 26, 2013 : 3:30 p.m.
By Scio Farms Trailer Park bout a mile past Jackson & Zeeb going west.
Ann English
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 11:38 p.m.
I know, that area has been changing so much in the past 30 years, it's beyond recognition; small businesses left, large businesses went in, roads got paved, a new subdivision went in, the road was turned into a boulevard.
sayzme
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 7:20 p.m.
Menards is a scary company that tried telling their 40,000 employees not to vote for Obama by requiring them to take a "civics" class. FBI Investigation The course, titled "Civics 101: The National Self Governing Will In-Home Training," incorporates much of the material comprising the Prosperity 101 program that AlterNet, working in partnership with The Investigative Fund at the Nation Institute, exposed last year — a program concocted by Koch-linked political operatives Mark Block and Linda Hansen, late of the now-defunct Herman Cain presidential campaign. In March, Daniel Bice of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that the FBI is investigating possible financial improprieties involving two non-profit organizations founded by Block that are linked to Prosperity 101, which is a for-profit venture. Very scary indeed. http://www.theinvestigativefund.org/blog/1717/menards_chain_gives_employees_anti-obama_propaganda/
E Claire
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 8:05 p.m.
Excuse me Richard, but did you miss sayzemes original comment??????
Richard
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 12:53 p.m.
WOW, Indymama, Typical conservative retoric-not based in fact. Not sure why this is a lib/con discussion anyway. Why do conservatives bring their hate to every news story ?
John
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 12:50 p.m.
Indymama...you sound like such a patriot!
Indymama
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 4:29 a.m.
More people should take that class! Or better still, take the free classes that are offered through Hillsdale College. A wonderful Michigan Institution. Sign up for the classes on The Constitution. We need to go back to the Freedoms our Country had in the past. What is really scary, is the fact that we have Socialists/Marxists/Communists taking over our Country and trying to take away our Freedoms!
Tom Todd
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 12:41 a.m.
Jim G would rather Halliburton got all the tax monies and everyone else became slaves.
JimG
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 10:37 p.m.
Boy, that IS scary. Can you imagine a Company trying to educate their employees about rampant social programs, budget deficits, and how welfare is bankrupting the Country? WOW! Glad I was not exposed to the ugly truth. Sounds like a conspiracy that really needed to be exposed to save us all.
motorcycleminer
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 7:16 p.m.
Great !!! long over due... now let the whiners begin...
zip the cat
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 7:09 p.m.
I'll give lowes about 6 months and then they will close
leaguebus
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 2:38 a.m.
Home Dept and Lowes have been close to each other on Carpenter for years, they are still open. It's like all the car dealers on Jackson. The more buyer traffic, the more business for all.
Tesla
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 8:25 p.m.
I estimate that Lowes does five times the sales Menards does. Lowes did 51 Billion in sales in 2012. I'm guessing Menards did 10 Billion but that may be high. They did 5.5 Billion in 2005. I don't think Lowes is going anywhere.
aslick
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 7:05 p.m.
WOOO! Best chain ever and close to my house. I can get BBQ supplies, clothes, tools, food, random crap, and even a kit to build a house.
E Claire
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 8:02 p.m.
Yes, because Lowes stinks. Worst customer service ever at that location.
Mark
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 4:33 p.m.
Do we need this with Lowes on one side and Tractor Supply on the other?
Hunterjim
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 : 7:03 p.m.
Yea!