July 22
In a success for the southside of Muncie, Mayor Dan Cananannounced that Walmart plans to build a second Supercenter inMuncie, this time on the south side.
The company plans to build on a 33-acre plot in the south-westcorner of Macedonia Avenue and 29th Street, Canan said at a pressconference Tuesday.
Muncie has been working on ways to help the south side for thepast year, and the biggest complaint citizens had was a lack ofretail, 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 wouldhave room for other retailers or restaurants to build on.
"I think this will help bring a lot of other retailers," Mainessaid. "I think it's become much easier. The first step is thehardest one."
Though citizens in other Indiana towns have recently fought newWalmarts, city leaders said they expect south side residents to behappy.
Sam Marshall, who represents the south side on the Muncie CityCouncil, 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 intosomething more."
Jonna Reece, who lives next to the proposed building site, saidher 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 increasedtraffic the new Walmart will bring.
"To say it's a great thing and a boon to the south side would bea 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, andthe city plans to file for annexation at the same time, hesaid.
The company plans to begin building in the spring of 2005 and tocomplete work in eight months to a year, according to a statementby Walmart. The new building would create 450 jobs.RR>($v'�n_walmart_7.22DNEditorial"$�*�n_walmart_7.22News2RR>SORT��>AUDT
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