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Sarpy County Development Begins To Take Shape - Omaha News Story - KETV Omaha

[Dave1215]

Not so fast...

Today's Omaha World Hearld

Published Tuesday February 3, 2009
New Wal-Mart at Southpointe is delayed
BY STEVE JORDON
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER


A Wal-Mart Supercenter planned for the Wicks Southpointe development at Interstate 80 and Highway 370 has been delayed about a year, and Menards has "opted out" for now.

Wal-Mart spokesman Ryan Horn said Tuesday the retailer has been concentrating on opening its store at 72nd and Hickory Streets. Wal-Mart isn’t citing the recession as reason for delaying the Sarpy County store, he said.

Construction at Wicks Southpointe would start in 2010 rather than this year, Horn said, delaying the opening to 2011 rather than 2010.

"It’s not that much of a delay," Horn said. "We’re not going at the speed that we used to."¶

The company is following what he called a moderate growth rate. A planned Wal-Mart store along Highway 30 in Blair also would open in 2011, he said.

Menards spokesman Theron Berg said the chain of home improvement stores pulled out of the development because the required zoning approvals weren’t in place, not because of the economy. Menards said last August that it planned a store at the intersection.

"We expect they’ll approach us again when they get it finally put together," Berg said.

Gale Wickersham, who owns the land except for the portion bought by Wal-Mart, said he is talking to Holiday Inn Express officials about a motel on the property.

Some restaurants have contacted him about locating in the development, but none have signed definite agreements, Wickersham said.

Source: Omaha.com Money Section