Wal-Mart will make its debut in the District with two locations even though a local appeal to the D.C. Zoning Board.
The first store will be located on Georgia and Missouri Avenue in Northeast D.C., according to the Wal-Mart website. The store will be almost a mile from the Takoma Park Metro station and about four miles from AU.
A second store is being built on 1st and H Streets, almost five miles from the AU campus.
There is no prediction as to when either store will open, according to Wal-Mart Senior Director of Community Affairs Steve Restivo.
Six D.C. residents filed an appeal to revoke Wal-Mart’s permits to build on the Georgia Avenue site in August. The residents said the Wal-Mart store violates current zoning policies that forbid new grocery stores to protect the current local stores in this area. Other residents, such as D.C. Jobs organizer Mike Wilson, worry these stores will deplete jobs and hurt small business in the area.
“Wal-Mart tried to find store locations that didn’t need too many administration reviews or public hearings without public comment,” Wilson said. “But the community here in D.C. is standing up and wanting a say.”
However, the D.C. Board of Zoning Adjustments overturned this appeal on Oct. 16 because it was outside its jurisdiction, according to the Zoning Board’s website.
Wal-Mart plans to build six locations in the D.C. area. With two underway, Restivo said the new Wal-Mart locations will create 1,800 new retail jobs and 600 construction jobs.
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