Greendale Walmart Moves Forward

GREENDALE WALMART MOVES FORWARD

Real estate transactions complete; Construction expected to begin before end of 2011

Greendale, Wis. – The Village of Greendale has announced plans to move forward with construction of a new Walmart at the former Bowling Congress Site in the 76^th street Corridor. Walmart received approvals from the Village in July and recently completed real estate transactions. In the coming days, Walmart will be working with Village staff to secure the necessary final plan approvals before beginning construction.

“We are pleased that Walmart has chosen to purchase and transform the abandoned American Bowling Congress site into a new smaller grocery/merchandise footprint. This project adds significant value and tax base for Greendale and provides area shoppers more retail depth within the 76th Street business corridor,” said Village President John Hermes.  “It's another important project adding to the larger excitement ongoing within the Southridge commercial area.” 

The proposed Walmart building, less than 100,000 square feet in size, will have numerous sustainable features and will carry an assortment of general merchandise, in addition to a pharmacy and grocery. Because the Bowling Congress site is not located in a TIF District, the increase in assessed value of approximately 10 million dollars produced by the development would improve the Village's tax base. The new Walmart will also afford the Village of Greendale residents the opportunity to shop at a quality local market with a neighborhood feel.

Commenting on the proposed new store, Lisa B. Nelson, Walmart senior manager, public affairs & government relations, said, “We’re very excited that Walmart will be bringing one of its new format stores to the Village of Greendale. I think residents will be pleased by the broad selection and affordable prices of our grocery options as well as the many sustainability features found in our new store.  We also look forward to becoming an active member of the Village of Greendale business community.”

Walmart and the Village of Greendale will be finalizing the demolition and construction schedule in the coming weeks.

The Walmart construction follows the implementation of several improvements and developments being made in Greendale along the South 76^th Street commercial area, including the previously announced senior housing development, the revitalization of Southridge mall, as well as the addition of Macy’s as an anchor store.

ABOUT WALMART
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at over 9,700 retail units under 69 different banners in 28 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $419 billion, Walmart employs 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://walmartstores.com and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.

ABOUT RECENT GREENDALE DEVELOPMENTS

In recent years, it has been a top priority for the Greendale Village Board to explore various options for energizing a revitalization of the 76th Street commercial area, as we’ve seen most recently through numerous new developments in the Village:

• In November 2010, the Village of Greendale announced a partnership with the owner of Southridge Mall, Simon Property Group (SPG) to undertake a multi-million dollar redevelopment of Southridge Mall including a renovation and upgrade of the mall’s interior. The mall renovations will include new interior and exterior features and amenities like flooring, lighting, redesigned mall entrances, signage and a fully renovated and updated Food Court. Renovation plans also include the addition of Macy’s as a new anchor. Macy’s will join Southridge Mall as the second in the market.

• In March 2011, the General Capital Group closed on the purchase of three acres of land and secured financing for a 90-unit independent living senior housing complex along the S. 76th St. Corridor, adjacent to Southridge Mall. The development, known as Berkshire-Greendale, is currently under construction. The project will transform the area south of the mall and adjust one of the south entrances to create a four-way intersection at Northway. It will include redevelopment of the former Blood Center property and construction of 90 units of senior housing. General Capital Group is developing the project, expected to be completed in early 2012.

• In June 2011, after a two-month formal review process, the Village of Greendale Plan Commission approved a proposal for a Walmart to be developed at 5301 South 76th Street on the former site of the United States Bowling Congress Building. The development will include a Walmart market and pharmacy and two out lots for development by future tenants. The Walmart market will mark the return of a grocery store to the Village of Greendale.