A Webster City grocery store will soon have a new look inside and out, according to information revealed at the City Council meeting Monday night.
Pat Hagen of Fareway Stores, Boone, said the company plans to begin a remodel and expansion of its Webster City store this summer.
"Our preliminary plans are to add about 3,500 to 4,000 square feet to the building, and put a complete new front with earth tones and we'll get rid of the 1960s brick," he said.
Hagen said Fareway officials are working with contractors and city staff to get ready for the project. He said he hoped to appear before the City Council on June 6.
"We actually would like to petition to have this part of the TIF district," he said.
Hagen said Webster City had been good for the Iowa grocery store chain and that the time was right for the remodel and expansion.
"We've got people mobilized and we're pretty encouraged working with the city staff," he said. "David (Toyer) and Karla (Wetzler) have laid out the groundwork and the processes we need to go through."
"We're very impressed and encouraged by the process," he said, adding, "We'll probably put this project on a little faster track that what we had originally planned."
Hagen said in addition to the new facade, the expansion will bring greater selection for shoppers, an additional check stand and the produce section will be moved.
"We're not going to forget about the inside," he said. "We hope to push the walls out to the north and to the west."
The project will be implemented in a multiple-step process, according to Hagen, but he said the company hoped to have the project finished by late fall.
Councilman Geary Meyer asked Hagen if the expansion would mean more jobs at the Webster City store.
"Anytime there's a bigger store and hopefully more business, they usually need more employees," he said. "Right now, we're at 17,000 square feet and our intentions are to go to about 21,000 square feet. So, generally if you've got more area to cover, you need more people to do that. We'll have to play that by ear."
Hagen said the project is different that other Fareway expansions.
"This is kind of a hybrid for us," he said. "A little bit of a test store, but we're encouraged by what we seeing in our plans."
Casey's request
A?request from Casey's General Stores for the vacation of an alley next to the former McCollough Brothers service station was approved on the second reading Monday night. The council agreed to waive the third reading so that the convenience store can move ahead with plans to purchase the vacated alley.
Casey's General Stores have proposed building a new store at the corner of Superior and Second streets.
The sale of the alley will be on the council's June 6 agenda.
WC HYPE request
Members of WC HYPE asked the council to assist with costs for the Kids Bash, an event planned in conjunction with the Boone Bash River Dash on June 11.
WC HYPE representative Tyler Abens requested that the council provide $750 for the event which will feature inflatable games and other activities for kids. The activities will be set up in West Twin Parks from 4 to 7 p.m. The group has sponsored the Kids Bash event for the last three years, according to Abens.
Abens said his group had received a $750 donation from Black Hills Energy for the event, and estimated the total cost for Kids Bash will be $1,750. With the city's contribution, the organization would also provide $200 from its coffers. The council approved the request.
Councilman Doug Getter suggested that WC HYPE pursue a hotel/motel tax grant for the event in the future. He said with the tightening budget, the funds may not be as readily available in future years.
Firefighter contract OK'd
The City Council also approved the Fire Department work agreement for 2011-2012 Monday night. The one-year contract would give the firefighters a 1.25 percent across the board wage increase. The contract will go into effect July 1.