For almost a year, residents of northwest Oklahoma City have been facing an ongoing issue: a closed Family Dollar store that has become a source of neighborhood blight. Located near the intersection of NW 39th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, this Family Dollar in OKC unexpectedly shut its doors last October and hasn’t reopened since, much to the dismay of local residents.
The abandoned property has unfortunately attracted unwanted activity. Concerned citizens have reached out to local news outlets, like Public Eye, highlighting problems with loitering and accumulating trash. One resident described the site as a “neglected, vacant eyesore,” prompting an investigation into the situation and what can be done to address this Family Dollar Okc location.
Unsecured Property: A Magnet for Problems
This particular Family Dollar OKC store is situated in an area known to have a significant transient population. The closure of the store, combined with a lack of basic security measures such as fencing, has created an environment where garbage piles up and unauthorized individuals congregate. Despite complaints and reported calls to the city councilor regarding overflowing trash bins, the property remains in a state of disrepair. While some trash may have been cleared, litter persists across the parking lot, signaling ongoing neglect.
Rising Concerns and Unanswered Questions
The unsecured nature of the vacant Family Dollar OKC has led to a noticeable increase in police activity around the site. Oklahoma City Police Department records indicate at least seven responses related to transients and six reports of “suspicious activity” at this location since the store’s closure.
Public Eye, a local investigative reporting project, contacted Family Dollar corporate for an explanation regarding the prolonged closure and the measures being taken to secure the increasingly problematic property. However, the company reportedly ignored repeated inquiries about site security and the original reason for the store’s shutdown.
Adding to the mystery, a Google review for this Family Dollar OKC location suggests a possible structural issue. The review claimed that a sinkhole caused a crack inside the building, reportedly “running the length of the toilet paper aisle.” While Public Eye’s investigation couldn’t confirm the presence of a sinkhole, they did find corroborating reports of a crack in the wall, hinting at potential foundation problems that could be contributing to the store’s continued closure.
Temporary Closure? Family Dollar’s Vague Response
Despite the prolonged vacancy and community concerns, Family Dollar maintains that the closure is only temporary. In an official, albeit brief, statement to Public Eye, a company spokeswoman stated, “This store was initially closed for repairs, and then a car struck the site late last year. We’ve been working closely with the property owner to expedite delays in the facility repair process, and as an update, construction at this location is scheduled to begin in September.”
The company further indicated plans to reopen the Family Dollar OKC store before the end of the current year. However, the lack of transparency regarding the specific repairs needed, the extent of the damage from the alleged car incident, and the long delay in commencing repairs leaves many questions unanswered. Residents are left to wonder if the promised reopening will actually materialize and when meaningful action will be taken to address the immediate issues of security and blight at this Family Dollar OKC location.
This report is based on information from Public Eye, an investigative reporting project by The Oklahoman, addressing community concerns in Oklahoma City.
