Cottage Grove Walmart deal sealed; road project planned near store

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The Cottage Grove City Council has approved a development agreement with discount retail giant Walmart and ordered plans be drawn up for a proposed road project that would widen a short stretch of road in front of the planned store next year.

The proposed $2.2 million project would complete roadway, drainage and sewer improvements along a short stretch of East Point Douglas Road near the VFW Post 8752 Red Barn and the shuttered Cottage View Drive-In theater, the location of a planned Walmart Supercenter retail and grocery store that is slated to open in 2014.

Under the development agreement unanimously approved by the council Dec. 19, the Arkansas-based company would pay much of the cost associated with the road work, the first phase of road projects needed, officials say, as the former Cottage View site develops into a commercial hub.

No other properties will be assessed for the work.

“If the Walmart project doesn’t go forward the road project would be suspended,” said Robin Roland, the city’s finance and community development director. She added: “We don’t anticipate that’s going to be the case.”

The council will give final approval to the project early next year.

The development agreement OK’d by the council details development fees, financial responsibilities of the city and company and site plans for the proposed store. Roland said it is the final step before Walmart and the landowner close on the sale of the property. Roland said that is expected to occur in March.

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