Neighborhood discusses ideas for soon-to-be vacant Oscar Mayer lot

With the Oscar Mayer plant set to close, people shared ideas with city leaders Wednesday night about what to do with the upcoming vacant site.

The 50-acre property is listed for sale by Kraft Heinz, but the plant will be open for the next eight to 20 months.

Many of the residents in the area spoke in favor of a plan to build a Grand-Central-like facility with a railroad going past the Oscar Mayer facility.

“There’s plenty of space for perhaps a hotel, restaurants, other businesses. I think it’s a great opportunity,” said Alison Lindsay Mares with the Cherokee Park

Neighborhood Association. “It’s not for most of us, it’s the future. And we have to be big thinkers and look at the future for young people who are turning away more and more from cars and looking at public transportation.”

City leaders said they are looking into multiple plans that could utilize some of the buildings while demolishing others.

Adlers said they have not received any offers yet to repurpose the Oscar Mayer site.