[Vision2020] WalMart returning to Moscow

[Ron Force]

 Walmart is upgrading in Moscow

Store was closed when Pullman super center opened

By [author]Elaine Williams[/author] of the [org]Tribune[/org]
May 28, 2011


The Palouse will soon be home to two Walmarts.

The city of Moscow has approved a building permit for the world's largest retailer to upgrade and expand its 94,000-square-foot store, said Bill Belknap, Moscow's community development director.

The store, which opened in Moscow in 1994, closed in the fall when Walmart debuted its 175,000-square-foot super center in Pullman.

The $5 million project includes a 27,684-square-foot addition as well as improvements so Walmart can have a full line of groceries with fresh meat and vegetables, Belknap said.

A covered bicycle parking area will be constructed, along with pathways for pedestrians and bicyclists through the parking lot and around the exterior - items required by the city of Moscow, Belknap said.

A 4,500-square-foot outside area for merchandise is being created. The parking lot is being reconstructed with an area for stormwater treatment. The entire property is being relandscaped.

Everything is expected to be completed by the end of the year, Belknap said.

Last year's changes by the city council to the community's code for large retail establishments appear to have factored into Walmart's plans.

Stores of 65,000 square feet or more can now increase their square footage by as much as 30 percent without obtaining a conditional-use permit and going through a public hearing, Belknap said.

The footprint of the Moscow store is growing by 29.4 percent, just below that threshold, which means Walmart could move forward as soon as it had its building permit, Belknap said.

Previously a store in Walmart's category would have been limited to an expansion of no more than 10,000 square feet.

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Williams may be contacted at
ewilliam at lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2261.
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