WICU12

Construction has finally started on a multi-million dollar Super Wal-Mart in Summit Township near Peach and Interstate 90. Planners say the store should be open in less than a year. Contractors had to do a lot of work to get the necessary permits. And often several versions were drawn up. But now the township has issued an operating permit so the site work is finally starting. The heavy equipment is now working to remove 75,000 cubic yards of soil from the site, a key step before the foundation work can start on the $8.7 million project. Crews have already set up barriers to minimize any run off into area streams. The township is expected to issue a full zoning permit in a couple of weeks, the final step needed before the walls can start going up. A key reason that it took so long for the work to start was the worry about traffic. Future improvements will be made to Peach Street near Interstate 90. And before the complex opens, a lot of upgrades will be made to an access road to minimize traffic. When the new complex opens, the current Wal-Mart located nearby, would then close, with owners hoping to attract another tenant.

Paul Wagner