Board Update: A Sneak Peek Inside Rooted Carrot’s Site Team

What’s going on with the Co-op’s site, anyway? I’m sure many of you have this question and, although the wheels of progress move quietly sometimes, they are moving nonetheless! I’ll share all the details with you, but first I’d like to introduce you to the site team and give you an overview of the work that they do.

The site team comprises Rooted Carrot members Kate Dunning, Christine Sexton, Terry Stewart, Mark Westbrock, Deanna Wheeler, and Tom Wickersham. They bring with them a variety of expertise and experience, including in grocery store and foodservice operations, project management, business ownership and operation, fundraising, real estate contracts, and food production and marketing. At this point in the Co-op’s development, they are responsible for all communications with the real estate developer, architects, contractor, store planner, grocery consultants, and members of city staff. They ensure that work is progressing and that the best interests of co-op members are met. After the project is approved by the City, they’ll shift their focus more intensely toward the details of store construction and design. (Sound interesting? You can help determine the future of your co-op – the design, product mix, general manager hire, and much more – by volunteering or becoming a board member!)

After many discussions between the site team and the developer (Brent Dahlstrom), architects, and city staff, Brent has decided to move forward with a single-story building rather than a two-story building as was originally proposed. Brent has made it clear throughout this process that his main objective is to see the Co-op established downtown, and he’s been amenable to any and all suggested changes that best serve the Co-op and are most likely to gain city approval. By eliminating a residential second floor on the building, the issue of tenant parking will no longer be a barrier to approval. Since it was expressed by Commissioners at the first Planning and Zoning meeting that tenant parking was the only issue preventing their full support of the project, it’s our hope that this change in building design will move swiftly through the City’s approval process.

As soon as the architects and civil engineers complete the revised plan, it will be time for the project to be presented again at a meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission. After it gains their support, it will move on to the City Council for full approval.

How can you help? Let your City Council representatives know that you support this project by contacting them or by attending Planning and Zoning or City Council meetings (in-person or online). Share information about the Co-op with your friends, family, or co-workers who may not be members yet. And, of course, if you want to play a bigger part in the development of your co-op, let us know!

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