Smokey Point grows with Walmart
Published on Wed, Jan 27, 2010 by Beckye RandallRead More Local News
If you think 172nd Street NE is busy now, just wait until the new Walmart store opens in about a year.
Construction was set to begin on the Smokey Point discount store on Monday, January 25. The Arlington-area location was approved after a heated battle with community activists was won by the chain.
Walmart announced plans to build the Smokey Point store, plus two others in Stanwood and Mill Creek, nearly six years ago. In 2006, local citizens and business owners formed the Arlington-Smokey Point Community Matters group to appeal the Arlington City Council's decision to allow construction. The lawsuit was dropped three years ago and Walmart picked up the ball.
Plans to build in Stanwood and Mill Creek were abandoned, partly due to strong residential opposition. Permits to build the Smokey Point store were approved more than a year ago, but final plans for the store's construction had not surfaced until recently.
Walmart also operates a store in Quil Ceda Village, just a few exits south on I-5.
The Arlington store will be located at 43rd Avenue NE off 172nd St. NE. A new traffic signal, partly paid for by Walmart, was installed at the intersection last year. The store will face east.
Retail sales at the store will boost tax revenue for the cash-strapped City of Arlington, which receives 1 percent of the assessed 8.5 percent sales tax. More than 300 jobs will be created once the discount retailer opens.
The construction costs for the 150,000 square foot facility are estimated at about $8 million, with completion in 10 or 12 months.
Walmart has 31 superstores and 18 discount stores in Washington, employing nearly 18,000 people at an average of $12.30 per hour, according to the company's Web site.
Construction was set to begin on the Smokey Point discount store on Monday, January 25. The Arlington-area location was approved after a heated battle with community activists was won by the chain.
Walmart announced plans to build the Smokey Point store, plus two others in Stanwood and Mill Creek, nearly six years ago. In 2006, local citizens and business owners formed the Arlington-Smokey Point Community Matters group to appeal the Arlington City Council's decision to allow construction. The lawsuit was dropped three years ago and Walmart picked up the ball.
Plans to build in Stanwood and Mill Creek were abandoned, partly due to strong residential opposition. Permits to build the Smokey Point store were approved more than a year ago, but final plans for the store's construction had not surfaced until recently.
Walmart also operates a store in Quil Ceda Village, just a few exits south on I-5.
The Arlington store will be located at 43rd Avenue NE off 172nd St. NE. A new traffic signal, partly paid for by Walmart, was installed at the intersection last year. The store will face east.
Retail sales at the store will boost tax revenue for the cash-strapped City of Arlington, which receives 1 percent of the assessed 8.5 percent sales tax. More than 300 jobs will be created once the discount retailer opens.
The construction costs for the 150,000 square foot facility are estimated at about $8 million, with completion in 10 or 12 months.
Walmart has 31 superstores and 18 discount stores in Washington, employing nearly 18,000 people at an average of $12.30 per hour, according to the company's Web site.
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