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Wal-Mart takes a neighborhood's measure
By JON WILSON, Times Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG -- Five years after city planners nixed a proposed supercenter on 54th Avenue S, Wal-Mart scouts are trying to build neighborhood acceptance for a store on 34th Street S. Representatives have been meeting with neighborhood leaders, outlining plans for what apparently would be one of the huge company's larger stores. It would be on the west side of 34th Street on land between Ceridian and St. Bartholomew's Church -- or roughly between 33rd and 37th avenues S. No plans have been submitted to the city. County records show no recent property sales on several tracts in the area that could indicate land assembly for possible development. City officials say they are aware of Wal-Mart's interest, but those in planning, zoning and development services departments say they have had no official contact with anyone from the world's largest retailer. Said Wal-Mart spokeswoman Daphne Moore: "It's not unusual for real estate professionals to be looking, to be scouting sites. "We have a pretty thorough process where we review sites and proceed. We haven't made a decision on whether to pursue a location on 34th Street S." As to whether the company would consider such a site, Moore said: "I really can't speculate." But meetings have persuaded some neighborhood leaders that Wal-Mart is serious. They have seen maps and been told that a store would be good for the neighborhood. "I think basically it's a done deal," said Libby Steele, vice president of the Lakewood Civic Association and treasurer of the Council of Neighborhood Associations. Wal-Mart has requested an easement through St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church property for access to 38th Avenue S, said the Rev. Harry Parsell, rector of the church at 3747 34th St. S. The church governing board hasn't made a decision, Parsell said. In 1998, the city Planning Commission voted against a 222,230-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter after residents opposed the development. This time, opposition has yet to emerge. For one thing, the apparent site, about 11/2 miles north and a few blocks west, is a commercial strip with the required commercial zoning in place. Five years ago, Wal-Mart wanted to build in a neighborhood with a well-established residential character. "We didn't want it in our neighborhood. It would have backed up against our fence," Steele said. She said her neighborhood association "has no real feelings" about a Wal-Mart venture on 34th Street S, "other than the cut-through traffic in the neighborhood from areas east of us." Increased store-generated traffic has been flagged as a concern. At a meeting with Wal-Mart representatives, "We were asking about traffic impact. They're estimating 1,100 vehicles per day," said Andy Saylor, president of the Maximo Civic Association. Saylor said he was told the store would be in the neighborhood of 220,000 square feet. City engineer Mike Connors said if Wal-Mart were to submit formal plans, it would conduct its own traffic survey to determine impact on the level of service on adjacent roads. "We would review it for accuracy purposes," Connors said. If built, the store would be in City Council member Jamie Bennett's district. Bennett said this week that he hopes a Wal-Mart could attract other businesses to help shore up a commercial district where empty storefronts have been a concern. "Our concern is: Is it going to help the neighborhood or hurt the neighborhood?" said Bill Lannon, a resident of Patriot Square condominiums. "The neighborhood here is kind of dying." According to residents who attended a meeting last week, Robert Kurlander was present. He helped develop a Pasco County supercenter, which opened last year. Lawyer Marilyn Healy, who has represented Wal-Mart in development projects elsewhere, also attended. Neither Kurlander nor Healy returned phone calls seeking comment.
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