Kingman, AZ. Wal-Mart Moves After Long Delay

Wal-Mart moves on center [Mohave Daily News (Ariz.)]

Wal-Mart is moving forward with the long-delayed distribution center planned along I-40 near Kingman.

The company inquired about the cost of its water hookup and water allocation with the Mohave County Public Works Department.

“The recent development is they are financially securing their water out there,” Jonas Peterson, deputy director of economic development for Mohave County, said. “It’s $1,400 for the hookup fee.”

The water allocation is charged at a rate of $1,240 per gallon per minute. The Wal-Mart allocation is for 200 gallons per minute.

“The allocation fee is $280,000 and they’re in the process of financially securing it,” Peterson said.

Wal-Mart put the land into escrow in 2002 and made the actual purchase in February 2006. Initially it was indicated the company wanted to have the center operational by fall of this year.

After putting construction of the 880,000-square-foot facility up for bids the company decided not to move forward.

“We went through two, two-and-a-half rounds of bidding,” Peterson said. “They considered the bids higher than they expected.”

When Wal-Mart announced it would not begin construction of the project last year it indicated that the company decided to wait because there was insufficient need for the center.

However, Peterson indicated the market is now more favorable. When bids were initially taken area contractors were still experiencing a boom. Although material costs have not gone down, many contractors are now looking for work and may be more willing to offer lower bids.

Grading permits for the land were issued earlier this year so securing the water allocation is the final step before work can be started.

The first phase is to be on 23 acres at 880,000 square feet. It is expected to employ more than 500 people.

When the project is completely built out it is expected to be 1.5 million square feet and employ more than 700 people.

Posted by Alex Goldschmidt on Friday, November 02, 2007

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