CAVE
CREEK – Wal‑Mart had set its sights on Cave Creek,
but has decided to pass on the project at the present
time.
Delia
Garcia, spokeswoman for Wal‑Mart Stores in Arizona,
said the home office in Benton, Ark., notified her Tuesday
morning the company would not be pursuing the project
planned for the south end of Cave Creek.
“The
information got out a little bit ahead of schedule, but
the home office has decided not to proceed at this time,”
said Garcia. “We’re not going to be seeking a General
Plan Amendment, and the plans that were discussed aren’t
moving forward.”
Attorney
Paul Gilbert, listed as the applicant for an amendment
to Cave Creek’s General Plan, told The Desert Advocate
earlier, “Cave Creek gets all the burdens and none of
the benefits
of big box stores. This is a chance to get both the burdens
and the benefits.”
Town
Planning Director Ian Cordwell said the project would
have involved construction of a Wal‑Mart Supercenter
along the east side of Cave Creek Road just south of Carefree
Highway.
The
project had moved far enough forward that a public meeting
was scheduled for Aug.
16 at Christ Anglican Episcopal Church. The property in
question currently is zoned residential,
over 19 acres in size, and would have required approvals
from the public and town council for General Plan and
zoning changes.
Garcia
related that the company is still interested in serving
the Desert Foothills area and will be evaluating several
other options. No timetable is set for expansion or naming
a site, she added.
“We
want to serve the community, but we just don’t know in
what capacity,” said Garcia, noting the company stated
earlier this year it would be slowing growth. “This is
one of those projects
it affects.”
Also
on Tuesday, Wal‑Mart Stores lowered their full‑year
earnings forecast, according to the Associated Press.
While second‑quarter earnings were reported to be
higher than the same period in 2006, the numbers still
fell short of Wall Street estimates.
