Walmart Plans Two New Stores In Sioux Falls

by KDLT News
March 11, 2013 10:36 AM


The world's largest retailer is at it again.

Walmart Market Manager Steve Handelsman says, "The two supercenters will be approximately 185,000 square feet and will have full line grocery, fresh meat, produce, dairy, deli, electronics, apparel, pharmacy, vision center, lawn and garden, you name it, we'll have it."

Walmart has plans for not one of these stores, but two more in Sioux Falls. If all goes as planned, Walmart hopes to build across from the University Center on the northeast corner of 60th Street North and North Marion Road. The Walmart would take up 35 acres of land, in what The Sioux Falls Development Foundation hopes will become something even greater. A site that has already been annexed and commercially zoned.

Sioux Falls Development Foundation President Slater Barr says, "As owner of one of the two new sites, The Sioux Falls Development Foundation is trilled that Walmart will serve as the anchor for what will ultimately become 70 acres of retail serving, yes, that northwest corner of Sioux Falls."

Then there's the second proposed site, which would be on the southwest corner of 85th Street and South Minnesota Avenue across the street from Soo Sports and Avera McKennan's future Sports Institute.

The site, near Harrisburg, is considered to be outside city limits. Part of the process to get the plan approved would be to annex it into the city of Sioux Falls. The request for annexation is set to go in front of the city council this month. Then the site will also have to be rezoned.

However, getting support from the public and the city council has proved to be easier said than done. Walmart proposed to build a store near 69th Street and Cliff Avenue last year. Those plans were soon put to a halt.

Mayor Mike Huether says, "This time it's going to be different. We'll proactively go out there, and we'll find out what opportunities exist but yes, some challenges as well, and we'll address them along the way and I fully expect the council to be there right beside us."

In order to get a site rezoned, there will have to be two public hearings, one in front of the city planning commission and the city council. Pending approval, the Walmarts would open at the end of 2014.

Along with the city, Walmart is holding an open house on Thursday, March 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. At the open house, there will be additional site plans, architects and engineers to answere any questions or concerns the public may have.