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Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Daily Herald - Provo


CATHY ALLRED - North County Staff
Ground has not been broken yet, but Wal-Mart Corporation is still planning on building a Super Wal-Mart at the Saratoga Springs commercial crossroads

CLC Associates have submitted downsized plans to the city's planning department from the initial 200,000 square feet to 175,000 square feet and most likely the revised project will appear before the city's planning commission for approval on Nov. 7.

"They kind of indicated they were going with a more efficient building plan," Saratoga Springs Planning Director Clark Labrum said. "They haven't told us, given any clue as to when they are going to begin construction."

Initially scheduled to begin building in spring 2007, the 22-acre project northwest of the S.R. 73 and Redwood Road intersection is on track for completion by the end of 2007 according to spokesperson Karianne Fallow at Wal-Mart's corporate offices.

"We are actually going to be building a smaller, nicer store," Fallow said. "We are looking forward to it ... assuming all goes smoothly through the entitlement process it should be completed by end of 2007."

Mayor Tim Parker has said city officials hope to use the estimated $500,000 in revenue from the store toward maintaining parks, expanding recreation programs and, "most importantly," public safety.

Wal-Mart Supercenters typically employ 350 to 500 employees, including part-time associates, and would serve consumers in the Cedar Valley, Lehi, Saratoga Springs and Bluffdale areas.

"Obviously the most important and immediate benefit will be the sales tax revenue," he said.

This story appeared in North County on page A1