News       Current Projects

Wal-Mart coming to Providence (Providence Journal)

1/7/2005

Wal-Mart coming to North End, developer says Demolition of the former Ames store will make way for a 134,000-sqaure-foot Wal-Mart store near the Home Depot. PROVIDENCE -- A Fall River developer and an engineering company are forging ahead with plans to build a Wal-Mart store on Silver Spring Street in a plaza that formerly housed an Ames department store. Demolition of the 102,000-square-foot Ames building is expected to begin this month, according to Jim Karam, of the Fall River-based First Bristol Corp. -- the local developer for the giant retailer. Plans call for Wal-Mart to build a 134,700-square-foot store at 51-85 Silver Spring St., in the North End. The $7-million project also calls for a 547-space parking lot, modifications to the entrances of the existing parking lot, and the installation of a traffic light at Charles Street and Silver Spring. The construction project is being managed by Bohler Engineering, of Massachusetts. The project -- which received final approval last summer from the city Planning Commission -- will mark the first time a Wal-Mart has opened in the capital city. Nearby stores are in Cranston, Warwick, North Attleboro and Seekonk. "It's an exciting project for the city area," Karam said. "Wal-Mart has been trying to get into a lot of urban areas in New England. And I think this is a great opportunity for them." Wal-Mart officials have estimated that the project will generate 230 jobs. That aspect appealed to members of the Charles Street Revitalization Committee, which met with company officials last spring. The store is also expected to fill a void for residents who wish to buy retail items nearby, instead of traveling to another community, according to John DaLuca, a community leader and member of the Revitalization Committee, which voted to support the project. The Ames building was abandoned more than two years ago, after that retailer filed for bankruptcy and closed its doors. Besides razing the Ames building, developers will also tear down a commercial strip that formerly housed Lighthouse Medical, a beauty-supply store and a liquor store. The Wendy's restaurant at Charles and Silver Spring will remain; Home Depot is on the adjacent parcel. WWW.PROJO.COM