Wal-Mart expansion OK'd

Oct. 14, 2005

WASILLA - The Wasilla City Planning commission gave the green light to a Super Wal-Mart Tuesday night.

The commission voted unanimously to approve the plan to expand the current store by an additional 73,000 square feet. The Super Wal-Mart will offer groceries and liquor in addition to the current Wal-Mart fare. Peter Curtis, local representative for the Anchorage engineering firm of Lounsbury & Associates, presented the commission with elevation plans and drawings for the new store.

The earth-toned building will blend more with the surroundings, Curtis said, and help the store lose some of the big-box feel. Besides a change in colors, Wal-Mart will have a façade of differing textures and several porticos. The porticos will be places where local community groups may hold bake sales, Curtis said.

The commission stipulated its approval is based on Wal-Mart submitting drawings of the storm drainage plans to the city and drawings of the building to the state fire marshal.