A proposed 42,000-square-foot Walmart Neighborhood Market and gas station, to be located near the Garrard Road intersection of Highway 12 East, heads to Starkville Planning and Zoning Commission today for preliminary plat approval.
The proposal, made by Carlson Consulting Engineers on behalf of Development Enterprises of Starkville, would place the smaller, grocery store-version of the big box chain in a fast-developing region of the city.
It would also yield a new public street — two one-way roads and a turning lane — that would provide future access to Highway 12 and add a traffic signal at its intersection.
Developers are asking the zoning board to approve subdividing a 41-acre parcel into two lots.
Site plans show the proposed Walmart parcel would sit on 7.58 acres of land zoned C-2, which allows for a wide range of commercial services, south of the La Quinta Inn and across the highway from the Hilton Garden Inn.
The public road, Market Street, would be constructed to the south of the business parcel.
Site plans listed Shelton Jones as Development Enterprises of Starkville’s president. He declined to comment on the project.
The Mississippi State Board of Contractors lists Andrew Gaston, of East Mississippi Lumber Company, as an additional contact. He did not return a phone call Monday.
A media inquiry to Wal-Mart’s corporate offices was also not returned Monday.
Both Mayor Parker Wiseman and Ward 5 Alderman Scott Maynard said the potential grocery store will fill a gap in services experienced by many residents of north Starkville.
“It’s going to be really nice, and (a grocery store) is something that was definitely needed for our area for a long time,” Maynard said.
Highway 12’s eastern corridor is quickly developing new commercial and housing developments. In addition to hotels in the area, Haven 12, a large apartment complex, recently opened. Other projects, including a car dealership, office space and single-family housing units, are in the works.
“Highway 12 is quickly becoming a major commercial node, which isn’t surprising because of its close proximity to the university and central Starkville. We’ve also had a substantial amount of residential growth in the area,” Wiseman said. “I think the trend has been developing for several years now, but it only recently intensified. I don’t expect it to slow down, either.”
Starkville’s zoning commission meets at 5:30 p.m. today at the new city hall’s courtroom.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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