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Walmart wants to build two new stores in Sioux Falls. The retailer announced Monday morning that it will build new supercenters on the south side of town and in the northwest corner of Sioux Falls.
The announcement comes just months after Walmart abandoned plans for a store at 69th Street and Cliff Avenue after opposition from neighbors.
Walmart said Monday it is eyeing another south Sioux Falls location at the intersection of 85th Street and Minnesota Avenue.
But that's not the only spot the retail giant wants to expand in Sioux Falls. The growing northwest corner of the city is also going to be getting a Walmart Supercenter. That one is planned to go in at the intersection of 60th Street North and Marion Road right across from the South Dakota Department of Transportation.
"These two stores will allow us to better serve our customers and do that in a more convenient way," Walmart Market Manager Steve Hanselman said.
With the announcement, Sioux Falls is slated to have four Walmart Supercenters by the end of 2014.
"I think the announcement of two Walmart Supercenters to be built simultaneously speaks volumes about the Sioux Falls (market) and about the strength of our local economy," Sioux Falls Development Foundation President Slater Barr said.
The 60th Street North and Marion Road is already zoned and ready for the new supercenter, but the 85th and Minnesota site will face a few more challenges. The city council will be asked to annex the southern site into city limits in the next month and then it needs to be rezoned.
Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether believes the path will be easier for Walmart this time around. A public open house is planned for later this month so neighbors can view the plans and ask questions.
"I think that's what happened probably with the last one. We weren't as proactive as we could have been and I think we were playing defense most of the way in terms of the last discussion when it came to the public," Huether said.
Sioux Falls City Council member Kenny Anderson Jr. voted against Walmart rezoning last time, but likes what he sees with the proposal for two new stores.
"I think these are very well thought out and well-planned developments. They are in areas where Walmart will be the magnet and bring in other business and other development," Anderson said.
And that's why Walmart hopes two will be better than one.
Walmart will hold an open house so the public can view the plans up close and ask questions on Thursday, March 21 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.
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