REUTERS/John Gress

There was an “open house” format meeting held tonight at the KUSD Educational Support Center.  Several Wal-Mart representatives were on hand to discuss the planning boards which were placed around the room.  About 25 neighbors of the proposed site on the northeast corner of 30th Avenue and 52nd Street were milling around, asking questions, and making suggestions.

Alderperson Anthony Kennedy hosted the meeting, and he was present to talk to the neighbors; this proposed store is in his district.  Other City representatives present were Mayor Keith Bosman, Alderperson and Chairman of the Common Council, Jesse Downing, and Michael Lemens from City Planning.

The proposed store will be a 42,148 square foot building, containing a Pharmacy with a Drive-Thru.  On the site plan are two outlots in front of the store facing 52nd Street.  The plans were drawn by McClure Engineering Associates.

Most people wanted to know why Wal-Mart would want to build two new stores in Kenosha when they already have a vacant building on 52nd Street and a brand new store on Green Bay Road.  Apparently, the vacant store is not owned by Wal-Mart.  There is approximately 2-1/2 to 3 years left on the lease.  A Wal-Mart representative said that that is not enough time for Wal-Mart to fully develop a store.  Tim Mahone stated that his company is responsible for building 22 new stores in the region over the next few years.  

 One of the neighbors was concerned about a dedicated left turn lane for traffic going into the store’s parking lot.  That intersection is already a very busy intersection.  She also expressed her concern about the construction that is to take place next year in that area. 

Kennedy was conversing with a couple who was concerned about large delivery trucks making their deliveries in the middle of the night, disrupting the quiet.  Kennedy stated that it’s up to the city to voice to Wal-Mart their concerns.  Certain restrictions can then be put in place, such as no deliveries after 3 pm.  He also said that Wal-Mart has been very amenable to certain restrictions the area residents want to place on certain items.  Residents just have to make their concerns known.  Kennedy said that he believed that the store would be applying for a beer/wine license. 

A second meeting will be held tomorrow night at Tremper High School to discuss the second proposed site for another Wal-Mart store, on 30th Avenue and 80th Street.  The meeting will also be another “open house,” running from 6 pm to 8 pm.