A contractor will be chosen soon, the spokesman said.

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

A contractor will be chosen soon, the spokesman said.

LIBERTY — Plans to build a Wal-Mart Supercenter in the township are cleared to move forward, but there is still no indication as to how long future customers will have to wait before they are perusing aisles in the store.

Jason Wetzel, Wal-Mart spokesman, said the company will not set an exact date to open the doors to the store, but those watching the building process will see evidence of its coming soon.

“There is no specific timetable right now, but now that we have collected bids, in the very near future we will select a contractor,” he said. “In the coming months I will be able to answer more in the way of details.”

In January, Wal-Mart sent bulldozers into the vacant section of Liberty Plaza that was once home to Hills Department Store and Phar-Mor discount drugstore. Within 30 days the structures occupying that section of the plaza were gone.

Wal-Mart purchased about 55 percent of the plaza property to build the store. The store will face Belmont Avenue.

The project recently hit a snag when company officials and Youngstown officials discussed hiring at the store and use of city water. An agreement between the city and company early this month cleared the way for the project to continue with city water flowing to the site.

In exchange for city water, the retail store giant agreed to steps that will make it easier for Youngstown residents to be hired at the facility.

Township Zoning Inspector Jim Rodway said the company is cleared to begin construction whenever they would like. He said all permits have been secured.

“They are ready to go now, they just have to award the bid,” he said. “They have our permits and should be all set with the county.”

Township officials have all expressed joy at the coming of the store and angst when the project seemed to be in jeopardy. Those officials have reason to feel as they do.

Rodway said the Wal-Mart permit to build was valued at more than $10,700,000 with a permit fee of $64,622. That, he said, is one of the largest permit fees paid to the township.

jgoodwin@vindy.com