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New Walmart may be coming to Henrico’s West End

Posted at 6:17 PM, Jun 05, 2012
and last updated 2012-06-06 00:00:39-04

HENRICO, VA. (WTVR) – Plans for a new, smaller Wal-Mart to be built on the Henrico's West End are underway.  Even though the project has been scaled back, some neighbors are still unhappy about the planned property.

For the second time this year, plans are underway to bring the retail giant to Henrico.  Residents like Dawn Shivley are concerned the mega store could bring with it mega problems.

"We have three young children," said Shivley.  "We're worried about the traffic, we're worried about cut throughs, through the neighborhood.

If the development goes forward, the newest neighbor would go up at Reynolds Crossing near the corner of Forest Avenue and Glenside Drive, on the backside of Crestview Elementary.

"Walmart is huge, it's going to take over," said Shivley.

However not everyone is against the plan to build.  Henrico resident and college student Jack Miller said the business could offer him economic relief.

"Me being a college student it's going to be cheaper," said Miller.  "I can go buy stuff and I can go buy stuff late at night."

Still Jack is worried the deep discounts could result in deep cuts to surrounding businesses.

"Are small middle class America, Mom and Pop shops as you refer to it, as I'm worried about their stake," said Miller.

CBS 6 spoke with Reynolds Properties, the developers of the project who say Walmart has already been approved for zoning.  If everything goes as planned, the area may soon welcome Walmart, fully equipped with a grocery, pharmacy, gardening center and merchandise store.

Walmart and Reynolds Development hosted an open house Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Crestview Elementary. 

Wal-mart say it's looking to meet the demands of this community. "They don't necessarily have the facts or it's the fear of the unknown," said Brooke Muller with Wal-Mart

They've scaled back on the size and even altered the design to blend in with other buildings.

"We're trying to blend the two looks together to make a really unique Wal-Mart," said Muller.
 
"We don't need another Wal-Mart. We have one right down at Parham Road...we have one in Short Pump... I just don't want it here, " said Erika Bryant, a neighborhood resident.

From there the Henrico County Planning Commission will hear the Plan of Development (P.O.D) on Wednesday June 27.