78,000 sf Walmart coming to SoWal [opening June15]

[wrobert]

I guess I will be the first to suffer the slings and arrows of saying I am looking forward to a Wal-Mart moving so close to home. As I have said before on here, in another thread on the same topic, the same rhetoric was thrown about when Wal-Mart opened a store in New Orleans' lower garden district. Not only did it bring jobs, it helped revive a slumping neighborhood without hurting the 'character'. Further, the predicted shuttering of mom and pops did not occur. If anything, there are more small businesses open in the neighborhood now than before. I predict that the new Wal-Mart will have little to no negative effect on existing business on 30-A.

We might as well face it-the day is coming when HWY 98 commercial property will be developed. Frankly I am glad to have more shopping choices. However, I will totally be a NIMBY and fight efforts to open McStores on 30-A.

Well when I said Walmart in sowal, it was to be in Miramar and was suppose to be a new prototype boutique store at 35K sf. But alas that deal fell through. But that seems to be a great location. With prices down and now a well stocked department store coming to town with always falling prices, the demographics of sowal are sure to change. Now get us a road to the new airport with those cheap air fares and the red neck riviera will certainly be shifting west. The county needs to do whatever they want, they will generate a lot of sales tax in the beginning. Of course in the first two years we will be subsidizing about 20% or so of their competitive wages. Maybe McDonalds will get the food concessions on the inside.

 

[SHELLY]

Maybe McDonalds will get the food concessions on the inside.

...either MCD or Subway is a pretty good bet.

.

 

[Matt J]

The Destin Super Wal-Mart is right around 200,000 sq ft.

Okaloosa County Record Search

Here's what they pay in property taxes:

https://www.okaloosa.county-taxes.com/tcb/app/pt/main/accounts?account_number=002S2200000001A050

 

[beachmouse]

And as of a couple years back, they were the number one location that the Okaloosa County SO got called to.

 

[shellak]

I had clients and contacts in many small Kentucky towns, and every time a Walmart opened up on the edge of those towns, those downtowns died. Then after 10 years or so, the Walmart decided it needed a "bigger and newer" place or needed to be a "Super Walmart" and it leaves it's ugly shell behind to devastate the ugly strip mall and the local businesses that sprang up around it. Your experience in the Garden District was maybe a more urban phenomena, but I have seen nothing but bad for the local businesses of rural areas when a Walmart sets up shop right in the middle.

i'm one who is not looking forward to a walmart out here. i can't figure out how they think they can really do well when our population has dropped so much. even okaloosa county cites statistics on how their student numbers have dropped. certainly, the new publix will be hurt. i'm not feeling sorry for them, just noting it. publix has great customer service. as for small businesses dying or flourishing, as we've seen lately, they are going under due to rents that are too high in our area as well as reduction in 'year 'round population. i could guess that it's also because of undercapitalization.

i've actually enjoyed having walmart in destin...gives me an excuse not to go there. if they are just around the corner, the excuse won't hold water!!

 

[Smiling JOe]

Topsail West PUD:
Phase one- 80,000 sq. ft. BIG BOXstore.

Phase two- directly behind the big box, 4 apartment bldgs for seniors, 190 units and a 110 unit assisted living facility.

Phase three- TWO 25,000 sq. ft. retail bldgs. with a 10' setback on W. Hewett Rd. A 5,400 sq. ft. gas station and a 6,000 sq. ft. restaurant.

Phase four- A 45,000 sq. ft. retail with an additional 12,900 sq. ft. attached. A 5,000 sq. ft. office bldg., 2 restaurants @ 6000 or so sq. ft. each and a 13,225 sq. ft. pharmacy.

Phase five- Another 3 big retail stores @ 35,000, 28,000 and 11,836 sq. ft. plus a bank and another restaurant @ 6000 sq. ft.

Phase six- 10 apartment bldgs. with 310 units.

Conceptual PUD Master Plan -- Topsail West

Someone mentioned Walmart pharmacy, but with St Joe planning for a stand alone 13,225 sq. ft. pharmacy, they probably won't allow Walmart to have a pharmacy in that store.

 

[30ABandMan]

I do hate that the new Publix didn't opt for the subdued lighting that they used at the Watercolor Publix. I hope that Wal~Mart does a better job...or our commissioners do a better job protecting us.

 

[30ABandMan]

The new Wal~Mart would be better in Freeport. It would draw from all of the areas east of Niceville, here, Bruce, Ebro and a lot of South DFK.

 

[miznotebook]

I do hate that the new Publix didn't opt for the subdued lighting that they used at the Watercolor Publix. I hope that Wal~Mart does a better job...or our commissioners do a better job protecting us.

I understand that there is a lighting plan that is supposed to direct the lights downward. Re the commissioners, the word I am getting from the planning department is that the approval route for the Walmart will be through the Technical Review Committee rather than through the planning commission and county commission. This is because, as part of a previously-approved conceptual PUD, the store proposal is considered a minor development. There is supposed to be at least one more hearing on the Walmart with the Scenic Corridor Design Review Board before it goes to the TRC.

 

[arlenemarieg]

Walmart

Is there no way to stop this?