Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Family Dollar construction start pushed to spring
DAVENPORT—Questions held over from council’s Sept. 22 meeting regarding the upcoming construction of a Family Dollar store at the old Lyon’s Park on Logan, First, Second and Morgan Streets were presented, and, in many cases, answered at council’s Oct. 13 meeting.
Mike and Doug Janke, whose father lives on Logan Street, had expressed concern about Family Dollar landowner Brian Anderson’s petition of council to vacate the Logan Street right-of-way for property use. Rudy Franco and Jason and Mindy Flett had also shown their disapproval at council’s Sept. 22 meeting, and Anderson didn’t have a representative at that meeting to answer further questions.
At the council's Oct. 13 meeting, however, Senior Vice President and principal Reed Caudle of Baker Construction in Spokane attended. Baker Construction is doing the physical building, while Family Dollar is constructing the inside and is handling the permitting and business licensing process.
He explained that the only vacation would be on the northwest side of the Logan Street property line.
“We won’t be going up to your father’s property line,” Caudle said. “It’s just for the northwest portion of the property.”
When Doug Janke asked council what action would be taken if the Family Dollar builders broke that promise, mayor Brad Sweet said legal action would have to be taken because they would’ve breached an agreement with the city.
“As a contractor, I would find my ass in quite a lot of trouble for not following through on that agreement,” Caudle added. “We aren’t going to be going up into anyone’s yard.”
Caudle said construction on the Family Dollar now won’t start until spring due to supply issues. He also said semi-trucks will deliver one to two times a week and pull into the second entrance on the southwest corner of the property.
Council unanimously approved the vacation upon its second reading.
Kevin and Sherill Hansen, owners of Davenport Family Foods, had expressed their disproval with the building of Family Dollar at the Sept. 22 meeting. They were present at the Oct. 13 meeting to hear council’s decision but didn’t speak during public comments.
Bob Martin spoke up, saying he also disapproved of the Family Dollar building and questioned council on whether they had fully publicized the sale of the land.
Councilmember Theresa Telford told Martin the city advertised in local media and conducted all sale business during open council meetings in 2020 and put all the sale information in council packets available to the packet.
Martin then asked why council wanted the Family Dollar in town.
Councilmember Cory Hollis then asked Martin a question:
“Do you want to see economic growth, Bob?”
“No,” responded Martin. “I want to stay a small, rural community.”
Hollis said council felt as though the Family Dollar addition was necessary to the community for increased sales tax revenue and an ability to keep the economy going as the city grows.
Councilmember Patrick Katz included his opinion via Zoom.
“I’m personally against the Family Dollar, but I don’t think it’s the role of the government to stop a business,” Katz said.
Council also approved a first reading to set the regular tax levy for 2022 at $2,673.76, a 1% increase from last year.
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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