Future grocery store in Urbana receives $2.4 million grant

URBANA, Ill. (WAND)- Thanks to the Illinois New Stores in Food Deserts Grant Program, Ward 3 of Urbana can look forward to a new grocery store.

The grant provides $2.4 million, all of which will be used to support the development of the new store.

Angela Bradley, the recipient of the award and CEO of Heart Strong Grocery, stated that Ward 3 of Urbana has been working for the past seven years to establish a grocery store in the area without success. However, with this award, there is now a real opportunity for the store to become a reality.

"My greatest hope is for the grocery store to become a source of hope and community, a place that is a gathering place, a place that families can get fresh food into their homes right now," said Bradley.

The proposed new location will be situated at the intersection of Lincoln and Bradley, taking over the lot behind it, as well as Fire Station 3. This fire station will be relocated to a new facility further west on Bradley. However, no changes will occur until the new fire station is completed.

"This old fire station, and the land that's on it, the city is going to lease it to us for $1 for the next 25 years. And so what we need to do is wait for that building to be torn down, and the city has so graciously agreed to do that. And they've also graciously agreed to remediate the land so that we can start building. and that building is to be torn down this summer," said Bradley.

Although plans are underway, a set date for groundbreaking has not been established yet. Bradley mentioned that they first need to complete the necessary paperwork with the state before they can proceed further in the process.

Her efforts have not gone unnoticed; Urbana Mayor Deshawn Williams stated that this grant represents a significant victory for the community.

"We are extremely excited for Miss Bradley in her receiving the grant funding for the grocery store. Essentially that will be placed in the Ward 3 area community. We know that area has been titled as a food desert, so this is a huge opportunity for the community," said Williams.