Second Target store proposed near State Road 200 in Marion County

A proposed second Target store near State Road 200 is sparking debate among Marion County residents, with some welcoming the convenience and others raising concerns about traffic and overdevelopment.

The site plan places the new store next to a Walmart Neighborhood Market along State Road 200, a major highway that residents say is frequently congested. Developers say there would be no direct access to the store from State Road 200, but opponent Kristen Craft worries the project will push more traffic onto nearby side roads, including Southwest 80th Avenue.

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“Ugh. Not more traffic and not another target,” Craft said. “The motto here has become ‘No tree left behind.’”

Craft said she would rather see the land used for community amenities like a dog park or a space for children. She also wants county leaders to take residents’ concerns more seriously.

“I think they just really need to start taking to heart what people are seeing that live here, because it’s just gotten out of hand. It’s just out of control,” she said.

Supporter Cites Convenience, Traffic Relief

Not everyone shares those concerns. Resident Chris Kortright said a second location could actually ease traffic by giving shoppers on that side of town a closer option. The proposed store would be nearly nine miles from the existing Target.

“Development has its pros and it has its cons, but ultimately, it’s about quality of life, right? Having things convenient for the way that you like to live. I like shopping at Target. It’s right here instead of having to travel across town. So, I think it’s convenient,” Kortright said.

He added that most shopping in the area is concentrated on one side of town, and a second location could help balance that.

“I think it’s great. I mean, if you see all the traffic on 200 and all the shopping that’s more based on that side of town versus what they actually have over here, I think it’s a great addition to the community,” he said.

Project Clears Initial Review

The Marion County Development Review Committee has already given the project an initial green light. The developer must now submit signed building plans to the committee before the project can move forward. The next steps in the approval process depend on if those plans are approved or not.

This story will be updated as the project progresses.