This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Plan Commissioners Not Sure About Pawn Shop

Exchange Street looks to open across from Best Buy.

Plan Commission members voiced concerns Tuesday night with a along the 76th Street corridor, where two major retailers closed during the last 14 months.  

At the heart of their concern is whether Exchange Street maximizes the use for the site, a 43,000-square-foot building at 4585 S. 76th St. that once housed Circuit City and later Ultimate Electronics. 

"To me, it's not the highest and best use of that real estate," commissioner Brian Weis said. "In the main corridor, I do have a reservation of putting this in because of the perception."

Find out what's happening in Greenfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Jim Dentici, the owner of the site, said he has examined several different types of retailers for the space, but has been unable to find a business that would be as sustainable as Exchange Street.

"This will never go away. It's able to change as the market changes," he told commissioners. "It's not your barred-up window with a drunk with a bottle of rum in a paper bag sitting outside the front door (type of pawn shop). You look at this place and it is a pretty slick looking department store."

Find out what's happening in Greenfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The business, if successful in its bid, would buy and pawn durable goods such as electronics and jewelry. This would be the sixth Exchange Street location in the state.

Another major concern voiced by commissioners and police officials is how Exchange Street will as a result of the possibility the retailer will unknowingly purchase stolen items which would need to be turned over to the police department.

According to Dentici, Exchange Street officials have agreed to a transaction fees and to help write any ordinances that are needed as a result of their presence in the city.

"They know more about this industry than the other businesses and the police department put together," he said. "They do this seven days a week."

The commission voiced its reluctance last month when it approved the scheduling of a public hearing regarding Exchange Street.

"We have an awesome responsibility here and it's not what I want or you want, but what is best for the community and that is what we have to decide," said commissioner Frederick Hess, who has been skeptical of the plan.   

The meeting's agenda did not have an item for commissioners to discuss the special use permit for the site. It did, however, contain an item for the commission to review the signage, building appearance and landscaping on the site.

Commissioners ultimately instructed the operators of the business to work with city staff on a number of site and landscaping issues. 

Among the changes commissioners would like to see the removal of the phrase "pawn loans" from the signage, a toning down of a lime-green color in the business' facade and removal of a sign facing the expressway.  

"I don't have a problem with the building itself, just the use," Weis said. 

The agenda did not include a formal recommendation to the Common Council from the Plan Commission. Mayor Michael Neitzke, however, indicated the minutes would reflect the reservations commissioners have with the use of the building.

The Common Council, which has ultimate authority to approve or deny the proposed use of the site, is scheduled to hold a public hearing next Tuesday on the proposal.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?