According to public record, in 2012, mega-retailer Walmart purchased 670 E. Oakland Park Blvd. for $10,000,000. Kmart continued to function on the site until 2014 while Walmart negotiated its opening with the City of Oakland Park. Walmart was finalizing its plans when they received unsolicited offers on the property according to their spokesperson Phillip Keene. Walmart rethought its plans to open a store on the site and instead put it up for sale.
South Florida based RAM Realty, was one of the companies that took an interest in the Walmart property. RAM Realty specializes in developing distressed properties in markets throughout the Southeastern United States that show high growth potential. RAM Realty’s attorney, Robert Lochrie III, shared with LivingInOaklandPark.com that they are currently under contract to purchase the former Kmart site. Lochrie did not share the negotiated purchase price.
What The Old Kmart Site May Be
Lochrie said that RAM would like to build a mixed-use community on the site. The preliminary plans include commercial spaces directly facing Oakland Park Blvd. The back end of the property will have 297 luxury residential apartments.
The residential side will have luxury amenities including a clubhouse, business center, swimming pool and spa, a dog park and several pocket parks. The project may also include a boardwalk along the river that runs on the south side of the project. RAM also intends to landscape and make pedestrian improvements all along 6th Ave.
RAM has not yet finalized its plans for the project so Lochrie was unable to provide renderings to LivingInOaklandPark.com. RAM does plan to have preliminary rendering ready for the neighborhood meeting on December 3rd. For more details about this meeting and how you can participate, click here.
RAM will submit formal plans to the City as they work through the approval processes. Lochrie concluded his correspondence by saying that:
“Ram believes that this site, at a significant crossroads for Oakland Park and neighboring communities, can be developed with a mix of uses that fits the redevelopment goals and vision of the City of Oakland Park”.
8 Responses
I rather like this idea than a Walmart.
I hope they will put an emphasis on a public walkway along the waterway
Awesome idea!!
Adding more unaffordable housing is a waste. The area is already overpriced and pushing hard working people out of neighbors that they’ve lived in for years. I’m ok with more retail space, but more apartments???? Ugghhh no!!!!
Definitely better than Walmart. I sure they maximize the potential of this property.
My grandparents bridge is on 6 avenue so I hope they make a nice boardwalk connecting to it. My grandfather was all about making Browsrd County more beautiful this is a step in the right direction. There is no reason why this building should still be empty. Since it is a beautiful waterfront piece of property the potential is endless. Good luck and whoever takes on this project make Jerry proud.
So glad to see this happening….wonderful idea !!
Awesome….100 % approval here. Walmart would have attracted increased crime.