Hank Sims / Today @ 1:08 p.m. / Agendizer
Walmart Backs Out of Plans to Purchase the Old Kmart on Broadway; County Government’s ‘One-Stop Permitting Shop’ Back In?
The former Kmart building and parking lot at 4325 Broadway Street at the southern end of Eureka. | Image by Ryan Burns.
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It’s a real case of Musical Big Boxes down on Broadway, as the Walmart Corporation and Humboldt County government circle around various large commercial properties at the south end of Eureka.
The state of affairs as of the last update, a couple of weeks ago, was that Walmart was going to take over the old Kmart building for a new grocery-forward retail store, of the type that they have been building around the country.
This displaced the county, which was coveting the old Kmart as a place to construct its long-dreamed-of “One-Stop Permitting” facility – a place where developers and weed growers and such could just roll up and get all their permitting needs handled with a new level of ease. Having been kicked out of the Kmart, the county had turned its attention to old Sears building in the Bayshore Mall, which caused the government of the City of Eureka to squawk a bit. The city had hoped to keep that location in retail, and therefore on the tax rolls, and said that it had been attempting to lure Home Depot to the site.
Well, the music has stopped again, and as you can see below, in the agenda for next week’s meeting of the Eureka Planning Commission, everything is all up in the air again. The county has dusted off its plans for the Kmart, and is back before the commission as if nothing had happened.
Why? Because, as Eureka City Manager Miles Slattery confirmed to the Outpost this morning, Walmart has pulled out of the K-Mart deal. The Walmart grocery is no longer happening — or not at that location, at least!
And so the county has apparently turned its back on the Sears and has returned its gaze to the Kmart. On Wednesday, it’ll ask the city planning commission to determine that a Kmart-based “One-Stop Permitting Facility” is consistent with the city’s General Plan.
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Also on the Eureka Planning Commission agenda:
- The Krazy Baker — a young, flour-dusted entrepreneur with a food truck — wants to take over the old Gallagher’s Restaurant on Fourth Street, but first wants the city to legalize the cyclone fence and electronic sign that a previous tenant had installed illegally.
- The Planning Commission is one of the stations of the cross that proponents of naming a downtown alley after artist Duane Flatmo must visit, so they will do that.
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The Eureka Planning Commission meets Wednesday, May 13, at 6 p.m. in Eureka City Hall — 531 K Street, Eureka.
Eureka Planning Commission
May 13, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
A. ROLL CALL
B. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
DOCUMENTS:
D. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS - CONTINUED
F. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NEW
1. Entitlements for Long-Standing Restaurant Use at 1604 4th Street Location: 1604 4th Street; APN: 002-073-001 Project: Use and Coastal Development Permit UCP-25-2
A restaurant and bakery want permission to use a property for their business, including a commissary kitchen and outdoor storage. They need permits for this use, but the building won’t be changed much. The project includes legalizing a fence and sign on the property. The project meets zoning laws and environmental requirements. The city staff recommend approving the project with conditions.
— LoCOBot
… or, as an episode of 'The Moe Hogan Experience'!
Moe Hogan: Alright, folks, welcome back to the Moe Hogan Experience. Today we have a very special guest with us, the author of this document right here about some Entitlements for a Long-Standing Restaurant Use in Eureka. Now, tell us, what’s the deal with this restaurant, bakery, and food truck situation, huh? Sounds like a whole lot of cooking going on.
Author: Well, Moe, it’s basically about this guy Tavis Kjer who wants to expand his existing restaurant into a bakery and commissary kitchen for his food truck. He needs some permits and approvals to make it all happen.
Moe Hogan: Permits and approvals, huh? You know, I’ve always said the government is just trying to hold us back, man. They don’t want us to have our bakeries and food trucks. It’s a conspiracy, I tell ya! But hey, let me ask you something, what’s with this Coastal Development Permit? Are they trying to sneak in some ocean business here?
Author: Well, it’s actually more about making sure the development is in line with the coastal zoning regulations to protect the environment and public access. It’s not about the ocean specifically.
Moe Hogan: Ah, I see, trying to keep us safe from the waves, huh? But hey, speaking of safety, did you know that my favorite dietary supplement, SuperEnergy Max, is scientifically proven to make you immune to all types of natural disasters, including tsunamis? That’s right, folks, just two pills a day and you’re set for life!
Producer (whispers to Moe): Uh, Moe, I don’t think that’s accurate. Tsunamis are pretty serious events, and a supplement can’t protect you from them.
Moe Hogan: Oh, really? Well, folks, looks like I may have spoken too soon. But hey, let’s get back to our guest here and talk more about this restaurant. So, what’s the deal with this chain-link fence and pole sign that never got permits, huh?
Author: Well, the fence and sign were installed without permits, so now they need to go through the proper channels to get everything legalized. It’s all about following the rules, you know.
Moe Hogan: Rules, regulations, permits - it’s all just a way for the government to control us, man. But hey, that’s all the time we have for now, folks. Don’t forget to check out our sponsor, SuperEnergy Max, for all your disaster-immunity needs. Thanks for tuning in to the Moe Hogan Experience!
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
Staff Report • Attachment 1 - Resolution • Attachment 2 - Applicant Submitted Materials • Attachment 3 - Referral Comments
G. OLD BUSINESS
H. NEW BUSINESS
The City of Eureka is considering naming an alley after artist Duane Flatmo. Flatmo is known for his murals and sculptures that have become landmarks in the area. The proposal is part of a project to name public places, and it has received support from the Open Space, Parks, and Recreation Commission. The project does not require an environmental assessment. The recommendation is to name the alley “Duane Flatmo Alley” to honor his contributions to the community.
— LoCOBot
(Verse 1)
Dans la ville d’Eureka, une proposition a été faite,
De nommer une allée après un artiste qu’on vénère en fête.
Duane Flatmo, connu pour ses œuvres grandioses,
Sculptures kinétiques, murales, des talents éclatantes en prose.
(Chorus)
Duane Flatmo Alley, un hommage mérité,
Au cœur de la ville, son art est ancré.
Duane Flatmo Alley, un nom qui résonne,
Dans les rues de Eureka, sa renommée résonne.
(Verse 2)
Depuis plus de quatre décennies, Flatmo a brillé,
Avec ses œuvres qui émerveillent et illuminent les beautés.
De l’émission America’s Got Talent à des festivals renommés,
Son art captivant touche les cœurs, est à jamais gravé.
(Chorus)
Duane Flatmo Alley, un hommage mérité,
Au cœur de la ville, son art est ancré.
Duane Flatmo Alley, un nom qui résonne,
Dans les rues de Eureka, sa renommée résonne.
(Bridge)
Les jeunes qu’il a mentorés, les artistes qu’il a inspirés,
Ont trouvé en lui un guide, une source d’inspiration dorée.
Son nom sur cette allée, une reconnaissance émue,
Pour tout ce qu’il a apporté, pour son amour résolu.
(Chorus)
Duane Flatmo Alley, un hommage mérité,
Au cœur de la ville, son art est ancré.
Duane Flatmo Alley, un nom qui résonne,
Dans les rues de Eureka, sa renommée résonne.
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
Staff Report • Attachment 1 - Resolution • Attachment 2 - OSPR Meeting Minutes • Attachment 3 - Applicant Submitted Materials
2. General Plan Conformance Review for County Acquisition of 4325 Broadway
The Planning Commission is reviewing the County of Humboldt’s plan to acquire the former K-Mart property on Broadway to create a “One-Stop Permitting Facility” for government offices. The property is currently vacant and the County plans to consolidate permitting offices to improve services and reduce costs. The review includes ensuring the acquisition aligns with the City’s General Plan. The staff recommends adopting a resolution finding the acquisition to be in conformance with the General Plan. The acquisition supports goals related to adaptive reuse of vacant sites, revitalizing commercial areas, and improving healthcare services. Environmental assessments show that the City’s review does not trigger the California Environmental Quality Act, but the County’s acquisition is subject to CEQA.
— LoCOBot
🏢📑 Planning Commission Staff Report 📑🏢
Exciting news as the County of Humboldt plans to acquire the former K-Mart property at 4325 Broadway for a “One-Stop Permitting Facility”. This move aims to improve service delivery and reduce long-term leasing costs.
📍Location: 4325 Broadway
📑Project: General Plan Conformance GPC-25-3
🔍Purpose: Consolidate County permitting offices
📞Applicant: Kirstie Greene, Sr. Real Property Agent
The project includes a 54,184 sf building, a 4,800 sf patio, and a 237-space parking lot. The County’s acquisition aligns with various General Plan goals, including adaptive reuse of underutilized sites and fostering a more efficient government system.
However, concerns about multimodal accessibility and coastal hazards have been raised. The County’s Regional Climate Action Plan aims to mitigate environmental impacts and promote sustainable practices in the new facility.
Stay tuned for updates on the Planning Commission’s decision regarding the acquisition and its conformance with the City’s General Plan. It’s a step towards a more efficient and sustainable government operation in Humboldt County! 🌿🏢 #PlanningCommission #HumboldtCounty #Acquisition2030
(Thread ends)
— LoCOBot
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