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Wal-Mart in Liberty to have different look
Construction on the new store should begin in July.
LIBERTY — Plans for the new Wal-Mart Supercenter show a structure that’s a little different than expected.
Wal-Mart submitted the plans to township Zoning Inspector Jim Rodway early this week for approval.
The grounds at the former Liberty Plaza on Belmont Avenue where the new store will be have been cleared and township Administrator Pat Ungaro said construction would have been under way, but Wal-Mart decided to change the look of the building.
An artist’s rendering shows the building in several shades of earth tone. The building has the appearance of several small stores rather than a large box store.
The drawing shows a central entrance point on the building with “Wal-Mart Supercenter” above the door. There is another set of doors to the left of the main door with “Market and Pharmacy” above it, and on the other side of the main entrance a door with “Home and Living” across the top.
Ungaro said township officials are happy with the new look of the building.
“This is not just another traditional box store. It looks really nice. There is a common area in the middle where people can sit outside,” he said. “It is a little bit smaller, but still a super store.”
Rodway said the plans show the building will be 153,863 square feet. The building cost, he said, is $10,770,410.
With the coming of the Wal-Mart store, Rodway said there will be a couple of changes to the area around the plaza.
Goldie Road, alongside the southern end of the plaza property, will be expanded to include a turning lane at Belmont Avenue. Rodway said the work will be funded through a state grant, with Wal-Mart paying local matching funds.
The Goldie Road entrance to the plaza will also be moved to align with nearby Hadley Avenue. That entrance will then loop around the Wal-Mart building.
Rodway said there will be no changes to the traffic lights or lanes along Belmont Avenue.
Ungaro said the building phase for the store should begin in July.
According to Ungaro, the incoming store is exciting for anyone living in the township because it will help the landscape of business along Belmont. He said Belmont is often seen as the defining point for the rest of the township.
Rodway said some of the improvements to come along Belmont with Wal-Mart coming in are already in the works. He said Arby’s restaurant, which sits in front of the Wal-Mart location, plans to upgrade that building with more than $600,000 in improvements.
Plans for the upgrades at the Arby’s store are in Rodway’s office awaiting approval.
Residents can also be excited about plans for the portion of the plaza property not purchased by Wal-Mart. The land has been purchased by a real estate service in Pittsburgh.
The section of the plaza purchased by the real estate company still holds a grocery store, beauty supply store, furniture store, restaurants and a few other businesses.
The new company plans to refurbish that side of the plaza and add a few new stores.
jgoodwin@vindy.com