Medford, OR. Wal-Mart Not Giving Up

Wal-Mart revises store proposal over traffic concerns [KDRV-TV (Ore.)]

The proposal for a new super Wal-Mart in Medford is being revised. On Thursday the company announced it is trimming the size of the store in response to debate over traffic concerns. The new store is planned to go in on an empty lot next to the Medford Armory.

The Medford Citizens for Responsible Development demanded a traffic study for the proposal. Wal-Mart made some changes in an effort to respond to citizen’s concerns. Those changes were discussed at a city council meeting on Thursday.

The new plan calls for a reduction in the overall square footage of the project. It is down from 200,000 square feet to about 175,000. A tire center will no longer be a part of the store. The front of the store will face south instead of east along Highway 99.

Wal-Mart says the amount the company is willing to pay for street upgrades depends on what changes are required in a final plan. At that point, both the city of Medford and Wal-Mart will share the costs.

MRCD says that area has some of the city’s heaviest traffic loads.

Posted by Alex Goldschmidt on Friday, May 02, 2008