Reconsideration of proposal for the old Kmart gets shut down, Rockford aldermen in disagreement

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — After voting two weeks ago against the redevelopment proposal for the old Kmart on East State Street, the Rockford aldermen were asked to reconsider, and that stirred up a heated conversation.

In June, Rockford aldermen rejected a plan to turn the former Kmart on E. State Street into a self-storage facility. The results of that plan had 10 votes against it, two for it. But, at City Council two weeks ago , a Motion to Reconsider was passed, putting the project back in play.

According to the City, Alderman Gina Meeks called for a Motion to Reconsider the agreement and special use permit for 5909 and 5949 E. State Street, which includes the former Kmart building at the corner of Mulford Road.

Previously, the city’s Zoning Board approved the redevelopment proposal from Orput Companies but the Code and Regulations Committee reversed that approval, and the city council voted to reject the project on June 17th.

Tonight, some aldermen spoke out in disagreement to the Motion and the project in general. Second Ward Alderman Jonathan Logemann was one of many to argue that the area shouldn’t “settle” for a storage facility and should instead wait for a “better” development in the future.

“I think it’s important we hear from the community and do it the right way,” Logemann said. “I have not heard as many good things about U-Haul, and I take all of that into consideration when I vote.”

After about 30 minutes of back-and-forth discussion among the aldermen, the motion did not pass, with the majority (7-5) voting “no.”

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