Wal-Mart super-sized?

Oct. 11, 2005

MARY AMES\Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA - Wal-Mart has applied for a conditional-use permit to expand its Wasilla store near the corner of the Parks Highway and Seward-Meridian Parkway to a Super Wal-Mart. A public hearing on the matter is on the schedule for tonight's 7 p.m. planning commission meeting.

Eric Berger, a community affairs specialist for Wal-Mart, said it makes good business sense to build the bigger store.

&#8221Look at the lines at the store,“ he said. &#8221Look at the parking lot.“

Berger also said population growth and customer comments to employees help Wal-Mart evaluate its needs in a specific area.

&#8221Population growth is an opportunity to serve new customers,“ he said.

Berger expects the expansion to create about 200 new jobs for the area.

An Anchorage engineering firm, Lounsbury & Associates, petitioned for the conditional-use permit from the city of Wasilla.

According to a project description amendment filed by the firm, Wal-Mart would increase the current 150,000-square-foot retail area to 223,000 square feet, mostly to the south of the existing site.

The number of parking spots will increase to 884 stalls and 11 loading spaces, with access primarily from Seward-Meridian from an existing drive near the northeast corner of the property and a new one near the southeast.

No traffic impact study has been done because of the construction on the Parks Highway, the proposal stated. An existing earthen berm to the west, which separates a residential area from the store, now may be extended to reduce any light or noise pollution from the store.

A new, bigger store in Wasilla doesn't mean Wal-Mart has given up on finding a home in Palmer, something that has been an issue with some folks in the Palmer area.

&#8221We have no final plans in Palmer,“ Berger said.

&#8221As part of our process, we evaluate multiple sites to determine whether we have any opportunity to serve our customers. Right now, we are still in the early stages of that ongoing process and have no final plans.“

Contact Mary Ames at 352-2284 or mary.ames@frontiersman.com.