Buyer for old Walmart store sought

As consumers in the Holton area wait for construction to begin on a new Walmart at the southern edge of the city, some are already inquiring into what will be done with the existing store after it is vacated.

Representatives of the Bentonville, Ark.-based discount store chain, which has had a presence at 209 Arizona Ave. in Holton since 1981, have stated that construction on a new, larger store at the intersection of U.S. Highway 75 and Banner Road will begin in late spring or early summer. Construction of the store has been estimated to take anywhere from 10 to 12 months.

Walmart spokesperson Anne Hatfield recently stated that the company plans to sell the existing store building once the new store is open for business. The existing store has a floor size of approximately 38,000 square feet, while the size of the proposed store is about 70,000 square feet.

One suggestion put forth at Monday’s Holton City Commission meeting involves renovation of the existing store into a “community center,” replacing the old Jackson County Fair Building, which was recently sold to the Holton school district. But Holton City Manager Bret Bauer said the city had not been contacted by Walmart about that possibility, nor has a spokesperson for the company set a date for groundbreaking on the new store.

Assistant City Manager Kerwin McKee added that Walmart is “actively pursuing” the sale of the existing store.

“I’ve talked to a few real estate people who want to know what the commercial zoning is on it and what uses would be allowed,” McKee said. “That kind of indicates that maybe, somebody’s at least looking into it.”

Others, such as Commissioner Erich Campbell, said they would like to see the existing store building retain its commercial use rather than be put to use as a “community center.”

“I’d like to see a business go in there, provide jobs and revenue and expand the tax base,” Campbell said. “If, after a long period of time, it hasn’t been sold, maybe we would consider it. But I would rather give the first shot to an industry or a business.”

Hatfield said anyone interested in purchasing the existing Walmart building once the new store is open and the existing building is vacated is welcome to contact Nick Goodner, director of asset management and building disposition, at nick.goodner@walmart.com

The Holton Recorder

109 W. Fourth St.
Holton, KS 66436
Phone: 785-364-3141
 

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