Plans for new Aldi food market in Ocean Springs delayed due to wetlands designation

OCEAN SPRINGS, MS (WLOX) - It’s a sign of the growing economy in Ocean Springs. The announcement of a new Aldi grocery store on U.S. Highway 90 was just one of a number of new stores planning to call Ocean Springs home. However, just two months later, that new store is hitting some roadblocks.

Construction on that project faces delays after much of the property the company plans to build on has been deemed “wetlands”.

Ocean Springs Mayor Shea Dobson said about 90 percent of the property is designated wetlands. While the wetlands designation hurts the plans, it does not affect the company’s plans to move in to Ocean Springs.

“Obviously that comes with some challenges,” Dobson said. “Aldi, they’re very specific when it comes to location, so they really like that location, and it’s unfortunate that it’s wetlands and that we’re having to jump through some hoops.”

Dobson and his team have been in touch with representatives from Aldi’s corporate offices, as well as state and local officials, to determine what can be done to make the land viable for the grocery store.

“We’re just kind of looking at all options,” Dobson said. “Everybody wants the deal to happen, so that’s a good thing when everybody’s on the same page as far as wanting the same thing.”

Dobson also hopes to work with officials to make the process easier in the future for any other businesses looking to build on wetlands-designated ground. As for the current situation, he believes between Ocean Springs and state leaders, something can be done.

“That’s what we have to do is just look at the studies,” he said. “It’s not that we can’t do it; we’re just looking at what we can do to make the process as shovel ready as possible. Whether it’s the city, the city can take on something, or maybe the state take on something, we’re just looking at all options.”

The process to build on the wetlands-designated ground means there is no clear timeline for the new store to be built, according to Dobson.

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