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Wal-Mart expansion handed 9-month delay |
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Wednesday, 16 January 2008 |
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Cliff Buchan
News Editor
What was hoped to be a March construction start for a major expansion of Wal-Mart in Forest Lake is now facing a delay that could push the project to 2009.
Duane Nelson, manager of the local store, said this week a problem with Xcel Energy and repair of a power substation in the area is causing the delay.
In March, Wal-Mart was prepared to break ground on a 50,000 square foot expansion at 200 SW 12th St. The project would result in the opening of a Wal-Mart SuperCenter spanning more than 179,000 square feet early next year.
Until the substation work is completed, the relocation of the line on the Wal-Mart site can’t be addressed, officials said.
Xcel’s role
As part of the project, Xcel Energy will be asked to relocate a transmission line that is on the Wal-Mart site here.The work was postponed after a transformer at a substation in the area failed in late November.
“We cannot move the line before a new transformer is installed because the work would result in the potential loss of electricity to other customers in the area for at least several days, if not longer.” an Xcel Energy spokesperson said on Tuesday.
“It will take approximately a year to fabricate a replacement transformer.
“We currently expect the replacement transformer will be installed by the end of this year and that we will be able to move the line shortly thereafter,” the company concluded. Xcel has apologized to Wal-Mart for the delay.
Nelson said this week the new construction schedule would likely be tied to how fast Xcel can do its work on the substation.
Still, Nelson said, it now seems likely that construction would not begin until March of 2009. Under the old plan, Nelson said he hoped to have the new SuperCenter up and running and 100 percent completed by that time.
A winter construction start and intense construction work during the busy Christmas shopping season are not desirable, Nelson said.
“It’s disappointing,” Nelson said. “Everything was in place and ready to go.”
The addition of 50,000 square feet and a full grocery store is expected to add about 100 new jobs, pushing the store employee force from 320 to 420, making Wal-Mart one of the largest employers in the area.
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