Midtown Walmart

Midtown Walmart is a controversial proposal by Walmart to build a 203,000-square-foot (18,900 m2)[1] supercenter location on a 4.6-acre (1.9-hectare) site[2] in the planned sub-district of Midtown in the city of Miami, Florida, USA. The initial proposal did not meet local regulations and was rejected in February 2013,[3] but was redesigned by Gensler[4] and approved by the city commission in August 2013.[1] It has faced public and political opposition from area residents, business owners, and community activists[5] even as it has been adapted to meet strict zoning regulations that resulted in the design differing greatly from the typical layout, such as utilizing second story roof parking versus a surface lot and street liner retail instead of a blank wall perimeter.[6] The original 2012 plan included 10,500 square feet (980 m2) of retail and about 550 parking spaces on two levels above the 184,000-square-foot (17,100 m2) store.[7] This more urban footprint is similar to what Walmart did to build a location in Santurce, (downtown) San Juan, Puerto Rico, known as "Plaza 18",[8][9] as well as Washington, D.C. where the city's first Walmart is a true mixed-use development, with third party retail as well as 300 apartments above the store.[10] Purchased in January 2014 for US$8.2 million,[11] the currently vacant site sits at the southern tip of Midtown between North Miami Avenue and Midtown Boulevard from Northeast 29th and 31st Streets, between the burgeoning neighborhoods of Wynwood and Edgewater.

Walmart Neighborhood Market in western fringes of the city.

It would be the first traditional Walmart location within the actual City of Miami limits, although there are several locations just outside city limits in Doral, Hialeah, Gladeview, North Miami Beach, and Westchester, as well as a "Neighborhood Market" in the western fringes of the city. In January 2016, Fort Lauderdale opened its first Walmart.[12] After more than a year of litigation, Walmart won a court battle in August 2015.[1] Specifically the litigation targeted the proposed zoning variance for two extra loading berths[11] and traffic congestion caused by the development.<ref name=TRD2013">"Wal-Mart’s Midtown Miami plans set to move ahead". The Real Deal. August 9, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2015. </ref> Ridership at the Northside Metrorail station increased significantly after the adjacent Gladeview location opened.[13] Other criticism is due to the fabric of the neighborhood amid an urban revival that included small, locally owned businesses and warehouse renovation versus new construction. However, the Midtown development already contains a Target and a Ross.[14]

The Walmart broke ground in January 2016,[15][12] after a state judge blocked a final appeal that was challenging the development.[16]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 David Smiley (August 29, 2015). "Walmart wins challenge over Midtown Miami store". Miami Herald. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  2. ↑ Michael E. Miller (February 11, 2014). "Manny Diaz, Miami's Former "Green Mayor," Is Now Representing Walmart Midtown". Miami New Times. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  3. ↑ Vanessa Zambrano (August 8, 2013). "Wal-Mart set to get Midtown permit". MiamiToday. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  4. ↑ Grant Stern (June 1, 2013). "Walmart Spends Your Tax Money to Break the Rules". HuffPost Miami. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  5. ↑ Bandell, Brian (January 9, 2016). "Wal-Mart in Midtown Miami breaks ground after beating court challenge". South Florida Business Journal. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  6. ↑ Arianna Prothero (August 14, 2013). "Decision Helps Walmart Inch Closer To Miami's Midtown". WLRN. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  7. ↑ Walker, Elaine; McGrory, Kathleen (September 20, 2012). "Walmart submits permit application for Midtown Miami store". Miami Herald. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Nueva parada en Santurce". El Nuevo Dia. February 27, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  9. ↑ Viktor Rodriguez (February 27, 2013). "Agridulce la apertura de la tienda Walmart en Santurce". Metro. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  10. ↑ Edward T. McMahon (February 27, 2014). "Walmart Goes Urban and Smaller". Urban Land. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  11. 1 2 Cordle, Ina (September 25, 2015). "Residents opposing Midtown Miami Walmart file new appeal". The Real Deal. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  12. 1 2 Reiser, Emon (January 27, 2016). "World's largest retailer to debut new South Florida stores". South Florida Business Journal. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Ridership Technical Report (November 2015)" (PDF). Miami-Dade County. p. 29. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  14. ↑ April Gardner (October 14, 2015). "Walmart Gets the Green Light with a Demolition Permit". Curbed Miami. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  15. ↑ Smiley, David (January 8, 2016). "Walmart breaks ground in Midtown, appeals court dismisses challenge". Miami Herald. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Judge Denies Appeal To Block Midtown Walmart". WFOR-TV. January 8, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2016.

External links

Coordinates: 25°48′19″N 80°11′39″W / 25.8052°N 80.1943°W / 25.8052; -80.1943

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