The preliminary site plan for a proposed Walmart Supercenter has received initial approval by the North Lauderdale Commission.
Located at an old U-Pick farm, 7800 W. McNab Road, the 42-acre site will include the 185,000-square-foot store and about 15 acres of land that will be used to develop additional retail and restaurant space in the future.
“I think it’s going to be a very beautiful project for the city,” City Manager Ambreen Bhatty said. Mayor Jack Brady and Commissioner Gary Frankel also expressed their support. But Commissioner Rich Moyle thought the city deserved more. “There’s no net gain for the city. All we’re getting is another Walmart,” he said. Moyle was the only commissioner to vote against the project.
He stated he didn’t have a problem with the building but thought Walmart could develop a better looking site. “This is our last opportunity to have something that’s really attractive. I was hoping people from other communities would come here [because of the Supercenter]. I don’t think we’re getting that here,” Moyle said. Commissioners will have to give final approval of the project before Walmart can move forward.
“We’re a middle class city. I’ve got no problem with it,” Brady said.
Representatives from the Belmont at North Lauderdale Condo Association, located directly west of the proposed site, said they have no problem with Walmart moving in but have traffic and safety concerns.
“It’s going to play a role in the safety of our community,” said Nam Luong, Belmont’s property manager. Belmont consists of more than 300 units and more than 1,000 residents.
He and Derek Zipp, president of the condo association, said they are in negotiations with the company to get them to provide a gate at Belmont’s entrance and to create an additional exit at the Supercenter to help alleviate traffic.
According to Susan Motley, the attorney representing Walmart, the undeveloped property generates $103,981 in tax revenue for the city and $79,810 for the county. If the new store is built, those numbers will jump to $219,736 for the city and $168,658 for the county. The city currently receives $74,300 a year in tax revenue from the current store.
Tammy Reed-Holguin, North Lauderdale community development director, said Walmart was helping expand Bailey Road. Motley also said Walmart would be spending $150,000 on the municipal costs of the development and had already spent more than $1 million on Bailey Road.
Moyle was also concerned that once Walmart moved from its current location the land, valued at $10 million, would decrease in value and bring in less tax revenue to the city. Motley said Walmart would be actively marketing the old property to find a buyer. “They’re not going to want to hang onto a property they don’t use,” she said.
Once the new store is built the existing Walmart, 7300 W. McNab Road, will be closed.
That store’s employees will be transferred to the new location and about 120 additional jobs will be created.
Michelle Belaire, senior manager of public affairs and government relations for Walmart, said her company would work with the city to find North Lauderdale residents to fill those positions.
