Wal-Mart planning to build a store in Litchfield

LITCHFIELD -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is moving ahead with plans to build a store in Litchfield.

Ryan Horn, a Wal-Mart spokesman, confirmed Tuesday that the company is "absolutely" planning to pursue building a "Supercenter" store on the east side of town on U.S. Highway 12.

The Litchfield City Council accepted a petition for annexation Tuesday from two property owners who plan to sell land to Wal-Mart for the store. A public hearing on the annexation will be held on Feb. 21.

Susan Steinwall, a Minneapolis attorney representing Wal-Mart, told the council she looks forward to working with them and the planning and zoning commission.

"We've had a terrific experience with the staff," she said.

The company has a purchase agreement for about 20 acres of land east of the city that is owned by C. Alvin Johnson. It is also looking to purchase about 4 acres of land from David A. Johnson, according to Steinwall.

Horn said no closing date has been set for the sale.

"A number of contingencies have to be met before closing," he said, as is the case with other commercial real estate transactions.

The store is expected to be 140,000 to 150,000 square feet and could employ 250 to 350 people, although that can vary, Horn said. He said the majority of associates would be full-time, but said he could not give an estimated percentage because it will depend on the applicants.

All associates are offered health care and 401(k) plans, but part-time employees need to work at Wal-Mart for two years before qualifying for those benefits, Horn said.

Several store details have not been finalized, he said.

"We're at a very early stage of the planning process," Horn said.

A Supercenter combines the retailer's discount store departments with a full grocery. The Supercenter stores sometimes include additional services, such as a tire and lube shop, eye care center and one-hour photo processing.

Reaction has been mixed at the prospect of having a Wal-Mart in town. Some think the store will help businesses throughout the city by bringing people into town and keeping local shoppers interested.

Others fear it could hurt established businesses, especially those downtown.

Wal-Mart is planning to build Supercenter stores in Willmar and Montevideo to replace its discount stores in those communities. There is already a Wal-Mart Supercenter in Hutchinson, which is about 25 miles from Litchfield.

The council also accepted a petition Tuesday for annexation for land that Meeker County and the Minnesota Department of Transportation plan to build a public works building on.

Petitions for annexation from David Ness and David and Suzanne Binsfeld who own land east of Litchfield were also accepted. Both parcels abut Highway 12 and are located south of the property the county plans to build on and west of the proposed Wal-Mart site.

All public hearings on those applications will be Feb. 21. All annexations need approval from the city and need to be reviewed by the state.

The council also directed city staff to develop a preliminary plan for water and sewer service and streets in that area. It also asked staff to research grant programs that would help fund those infrastructure projects.

Engineering staff also was directed to study how well 260th Street would be able to handle increased truck traffic. The street is north of the properties petitioning for annexation.

The council also authorized staff to work on development agreements with each entity petitioning for annexation.