Neighborhood Reaction To Walmart Moving In

Many of the residents in a peaceful, south Sioux Falls neighborhood were pretty surprised by the news of a new Walmart Super Center being built only a few blocks from their homes.

"This is pretty much an all residential area; not a very commercial area. The increased traffic, and some of the risks that come with that, I'm kind of concerned about," neighbor Eric Schlimgen said.

"It's like a rat race.  I really prefer not to go into Walmart," resident Tim Hoback said.

Some parents we talked with say they are worried a swarm of shoppers could cause safety issues for their children.

"The concern of them being out playing, due to traffic and the amount of people that come around. It's definitely concerning," Schlimgen said.

Not everyone is concerned about the Walmart coming nearby at 85th Street and Minnesota Avenue. Actually some people are pretty excited about the convenience it could provide.

"It really doesn't affect me a whole lot that I can tell. Other than it will be convenient, I think," Hoback said.

"No, I'm not too excited about the convenience of it. Like I said, it's a residential area.  Bringing commercial land that close and that big is a big deal and big concern," Schlimgen said.

Whether people are ready or not, a new Walmart will be heading their way late next year.

An open house will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, so that neighbors and citizens can look at the plans for the two new Walmart stores. It will be held at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.