Mayor Dan Canan recently announced that Walmart plans to build a second Supercenter in Muncie, this time on the south side.
The company plans to build on a 33-acre plot in the south-west corner of Macedonia Avenue and 29th Street, Canan said at a press conference Tuesday.
Muncie has been working on ways to help the south side for the past year, and the biggest complaint citizens had was a lack of retail, Canan said.
"I see it as a real draw for our community," he said.
Steve Maines, an owner of ADM Real Estate, said the plot would have room for other retailers or restaurants to build on.
"I think this will help bring a lot of other retailers," Maines said. "I think it's become much easier. The first step is the hardest one."
Though citizens in other Indiana towns have recently fought new Walmarts, city leaders said they expect south side residents to be happy.
Sam Marshall, who represents the south side on the Muncie City Council, said he heard a good reaction from residents.
"I think the south side neighborhoods are embracing this," Marshall said. "I see the neighborhood hoping this evolves into something more."
Jonna Reece, who lives next to the proposed building site, said her neighbors were excited about the new Walmart.
Joe Anderson, owner of the Dairy Queen on South Madison Street, said he expects to see his business improve with the increased traffic the new Walmart will bring.
"To say it's a great thing and a boon to the south side would be a huge understatement," Anderson said.
Walmart will apply for a rezoning permit within 30 to 60 days, Maines said. The plot is just outside of Muncie city limits, and the city plans to file for annexation at the same time, he said.
The company plans to begin building in the spring of 2005, and to complete work in eight months to a year, according to a statement by Walmart. The new building would create 450 jobs.
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