By JIM BUTLER

GAEDA is grocery shopping.

Commissioners today will authorize preparation and submission of financing applications, including to the State Bond Commission, for buying and improving property for a grocery store.

Attracting a grocery to a federally designated food desert in South Alexandria has been on the agency’s to-do list since inception though not in the public eye of late and on the community agenda for decades.

Back in March commissioners heard a presentation from a realty firm on “project sites.” Minutes don’t reflect the project nature but it was thought to be a grocery venture.

The subject doesn’t appear in any minutes or agenda postings since, though gaps in such don’t necessarily leave a clear picture.

Commissioners today will also be asked to authorize Chairman Steven R. McGee and Executive Angela Varnado to negotiate a proposed purchase agreement for grocery store property.

The agenda item does not mention location or owner of the property.

Back in March EquiHarvest Market was discussing a 9,000-15,000 square feet development.

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