Developers who envision the former Englewood Kmart site turning into a building that offers restaurants, self-storage units and retail spots recently took a step toward making their vision a reality.

On June 18, Englewood's Planning and Zoning Commission voted to move toward findings of facts to change part of Englewood's zoning code to allow for a 60,000-square-foot project at the former Kmart site, 200 W. Belleview Ave. Findings of facts is a step in which a municipality either approves, or denies an application or request. The Planning and Zoning Commission will carry out the findings of facts process at a July 16 meeting.

Capital Pacific is the company pushing for the proposed project at the Kmart site, closed since 2017.

“We're excited about the project. We're all in on improving this project, and we're going to dramatically enhance it,” said Zeb Ripple, managing partner at Capital Pacific. Ripple pointed to a "retail apocalypse" in which a large number of brick-and-mortar retail stores are closing throughout the country. Around 75,000 stores that sell clothes, electronics and furniture are projected to close by 2026, according to a report by UBS, an investment firm.

The current proposed project has one bike stall per 25 parking spaces, but Englewood resident Roger Newmann wants to see more.

“They're planning on putting retail. If it's a coffee shop, or something like that, you're going to have more than two bicycles (at the site),” said Newmann.

Chuze Fitness, a gym company, is opening on the south side of the Kmart building, and Ripple is hoping it would bring more foot traffic to the proposed project.

Following the findings of facts projects, city council will consider recommendations from the commission and the applicants will present their project.

“The uses will remain retail at that existing Kmart and some possible restaurant uses and so on. There's not a change proposed that would heavily, or inversely impact (the site),” said Erik Sampson, an Englewood planner.