Walmart land closing pushed back to summer

By: Sharon McBrayer | Morganton News Herald
Published: February 09, 2010

Morganton --

Developers of the Walmart Supercenter haven't purchased the old Henredon property yet but plans are still in the works on the project.
WRS Inc., a realty company in Mount Pleasant, S.C., is developing the property. Company officials told city leaders that WRS would close the sale on the property in December.
The company, though, hasn't sealed the deal, yet.
WRS President/CEO Scott Smith said, "We are in the middle of talks with the owners on a closing date. We are still targeting to close this summer."
The company plans to build a 190,000-square-foot Walmart Supercenter, according to the company's Web site. The name of the site will be Morganton Heights Shopping Center, the site says.
In addition to Walmart, the site will have about eight other retail shops, as well as out parcels that could have additional retail or offices, company officials have said.
That kind of shopping center will require changes to the roads around it.
Doug McNeal, district engineer for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, said he hasn't seen any final plans or driveway permits for the project but the changes required will be one additional left-turn lane on Burkemont Avenue going toward the Henredon property. It also will require a right-turn lane on Fleming Drive, going toward Interstate 40, he said.
The developer will pay for any lane additions or improvements to accommodate the shopping center, McNeal said. The developer does the work, but DOT oversees the changes or additions, he said. Taxpayer money isn't used to make the improvements, McNeal said.
"Commercial developments, we don't participate in the road improvements," McNeal said.
DOT, though, makes sure the public's best interest is served by the improvements, he said.
Smith said DOT has been helpful in coaching WRS on what transportation officials want on the roads and how to accomplish it.
The improvements would have to be made before the shopping center opens, McNeal said.
McDowell County also is awaiting a Walmart Supercenter. Closing on the sale of the land along Sugar Hill Road has been postponed, Marion city officials told the McDowell News.

Walmart land closing pushed back to summer

Share This:

More from this channel:

Reader Comments

Deal of the Day

Most Popular

More Ways to Connect

Reader Photos» Browse More

Things to Do