Elk City, OK – The City of Elk City is taking steps toward purchasing the former United Supermarket property at 2700 W. 3rd Street, with city leaders saying the goal is to prevent the longtime commercial property from sitting vacant and eventually return it to productive use.

During its Aug. 3 meeting, the Elk City Commission unanimously approved a purchase and sale agreement for the property in the amount of $900,000.

Elk City Mayor Micah Kilhoffer stressed that the vote does not represent a completed purchase.

"It passed. Everyone voted to approve that," Kilhoffer said. "So basically, what that is, is to sign an agreement to purchase. That is not the final agreement."

Kilhoffer said the city must still complete inspections and make sure the property meets its requirements before a final purchase is brought back before the commission for consideration.

The property became available following changes announced earlier this year by Homeland Stores. In March, the company announced a consolidation plan affecting its western Oklahoma operations. The United Supermarket locations in Elk City and Clinton were slated to close, with grocery operations in those communities transitioning to Homeland locations.

Kilhoffer said the loss of the United location was significant because of the store's long history in Elk City.

"When you're in a town like Elk City, and a grocery store like United that has been here for 60, 70, however long it's been here, I grew up with it. You grew up with it," Kilhoffer said. "When something like that, when you get word it's closing, I mean, it's a big deal in town."

That quickly raised another question for city leaders and residents, what would happen to the building?

Rather than risk seeing a large commercial property remain vacant for an extended period, Kilhoffer said the city decided to take a proactive approach.

"The last thing we want to see is a building sit empty with a for sale sign on it for decades," Kilhoffer said. "A lot of times it's an investor that doesn't even live here and they have no interest in the city."

Kilhoffer emphasized that the city does not intend to become a long-term owner or enter the real estate business. Instead, he said the goal would be to eventually place a business in the property that contributes to the local economy.

"We're not getting in the real estate business," Kilhoffer said. "That's not the end goal. This isn't to make money, but it's to return business to our community and give opportunity for those that are here."

If inspections are satisfactory and the city decides to proceed, the final purchase will require additional action by the Elk City Commission.

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