At the KISD Board meeting on August 27, KISD Superintendent Gary Dugger told the Trustees that Kroger was still interested in building a store at the intersection of HWY 287 and Sublett directly across from Albertsons. {{more}}123K sq ft Markeplace Kroger plus pads for other stores…
Two years ago the KISD had a discussion with the engineer for the Sublett Road/287 Kroger development project. The project as proposed then would include a new 123,000 square foot Kroger store using the Marketplace concept similar to one in Mansfield. The site would include pads for other smaller businesses.
Kennedale ISD has been involved because the ISD owns the surrounding the property and an easement was required through the property for water/sewage connection to existing lines in the area and the new project. Kennedale ISD has worked with the City of Arlington for the granting of an easement across a portion of land that KISD owns off of 287. That part of the project has been completed with the City of Arlington agreeing to pay for the portion of the land needed for the easement across school property.Project includes relocating southbound exit ramp and 4 lanes on Sublett…
The final approval of the site plan from the City of Arlington now rest with the State of Texas. The plan calls for the relocation of the exit ramp for south bound 287 at Sublett Road to be place further north allowing exiting traffic more distance before hitting the intersection and the new shopping center.
What is of interest to the school district is the redevelopment of Sublett Road in that area. The site plans call for Kroger to pay for the cost of building a 4 lane road way at that intersection to match the 4 lanes on the east side of the intersection. This should relieve congestion at that intersection for buses and parent/student traffic. However, Joe Taylor expressed frustration that the small section from the Kennedale city limits to the Kroger development is not scheduled to be improved.No improvements in road section from Kennedale city limits to new Kroger …
A view looking east on Sublett Road that includes narrow bridge with no sidewalk for school
children. Road improvement for this
section is City of Arlington jurisdiction.
This means that the two lane bridge will remain and no sidewalks will be added at this time. Taylor feels that it is just a matter of time before a major accident happens in that area because there are a number of students who now walk that way going to or from school or school related activities. Sidewalks have been added on the City of Kennedale side but not the section controlled by Arlington.
City of Kennedale officials say that their hands are tied because they have no say in that portion of the roadway. Kennedale City Manager Bob Hart said that he has talked with Arlington about it but their preferred method of development is to require the developers to pay for the cost of road improvements. At this point there are no other projects planned for this area which means nothing will happen to the road at least as it now stands.Want to voice your opinion ?
There are two Arlington City Council members whose district
borders on the Sublett Road project: Sheri Capehart District 2 Send Email and Kathryn
Wilemon District 4 Send Email. Contact them to
express your interest in the completion of the Sublett Road to the Kennedale
city limits.
