Wal-Mart Building Permit Approved

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Story Published: Nov 20, 2008 at 7:13 PM PDT

By Sade Malloy

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West Valley -- The West Valley Wal-Mart is still getting a big thumbs down by some locals but they're getting a thumbs up from the city of Yakima. Now that construction can start they're putting an end
to a long and expensive dispute.

The sounds of shopping carts will soon take over the corner of 64th Avenue and Nob Hill.

The city finally approved the long contested West Valley Wal-Mart to bring the second supercenter to Yakima.

"I'm kinda excited I shop at Wal-Mart we live way out in West Valley and it's way on the other end of town," explains
Sue Januscheitis.

Sue may be excited but a lot of people aren't.

Wal-Mart first applied for a land use permit back in 2004.

"There were a number of hearings there were a number of even legal challenges so the first part the first year, year and a half of the Wal-Mart application was not typical," said Bill Cook, Community & Economic Development Director.

Community & Economic Development Director Bill Cook is quick to say people have perceived the project to be delayed because of public hearings, when really they've changed the design because of noise issues and light complaints.

"We have very community oriented people living here and we want to support our local business people," Sandy Hauff.

We tried asking Wal-Mart how much money they've spent over the four year process and were told by a spokesperson they don't discuss costs at all.

The city of Yakima tells us they will have to put in about $2 million in road in improvements and spend $200,000 for a pedestrian pathway.

The new Wal-Mart is expected hire up to 500 people and will give the city a boost with property tax.

The current Wal-Mart brings in about $150,000 in property tax every year.

It's possible that's more than half-a-million dollars Yakima missed out on because of the delays, but the hearings are behind them and the construction can now begin.

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