Details Surface on Walmart Plans for Seminole Heights

Walmart is about to close a deal to buy property in Seminole Heights for a new store, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

According to the Tampa Bay Business Journal:

"The deal to purchase the former Abraham Chevrolet Co. property at 1720 E. Hillsborough is contingent on an environmental study and the city granting the necessary permits to build the retail store."

The property is worth $2.8 million, according to TBO.com.

The developer has received the OK from the city to install access driveways on Mohawk Avenue and 19th Street as well as a traffic signal installed at 19th Street and Hillsborough. The state also needs to approve the traffic light. Here is a list of City of Tampa construction permits for 1720 East Hillsborough Ave.

According to TBO.com, there are still many hurdles for the developer to cross before moving forward with the project. Key paperwork has yet to be filed.

TBO.com reports:

About a year ago Walmart officials met with state highway officials about the traffic light, said Kris Carson, a transportation department spokeswoman. "It's on our radar," she said. But no application has been filed and a traffic study must be completed before state officials could decide on allowing a traffic signal, she said.

Response From Neighbors

The Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association reports that response is mixed to the plans. Debi Johnson, president of the group, told TBO.com that neighbors were meeting Tuesday night about the development.

According to TBO.com:

One issue will be increased traffic, particularly truck traffic. Johnson said residents worry about cut-through traffic into the neighborhood. Just to the west of the possible Walmart site, trucks are banned from 15th Street but sometimes use that route anyway, Johnson said.