Wal-Mart Plans 200,000-SF Super Center in Apache Junction

APACHE JUNCTION, AZ-While most Valley cities rail against building Wal-Mart superstores, Apache Junction is welcoming the discount retailer with open arms.

This suburb about 40 miles to the east of downtown Phoenix is in the final stages of negotiations with Wal-Mart to build a 200,000-sf super center near its downtown, along Apache Trail. The center, which would include a grocery component, is expected to generate approximately $1 million in sales tax revenue for the cash-strapped city.

In the past few years, cities in Arizona have rejected proposals to build superstores. Gilbert and Chandler both rejected plans for a Wal-Mart, and Tucson has totally turned them away. Mesa narrowly approved plans for the city’s fifth Wal-Mart, which prompted a cacophony of protest from residents. A number of cities are looking to enact zoning stipulations that would severely limit where super-sized stores could be built.