Monday night, a sketch outlining plans for a Walmart store to occupy 17.5 acres of Bryton’s Phase 1A will be presented to the Huntersville Town Board for approval. The proposed store would be the focal point of the 28.3-acre first phase in the 428-acre commercial and residential project off Alexanderana Road between Everette Keith Road and N.C. 115 on the southern edge of town.
American Asset Corp., developers of Bryton, have been meeting with town planners and Walmart representatives for more than three months to put final touches on plans to be unveiled at Monday’s session.
The proposed sketch calls for construction of a 151,060-square-foot retail facility on the interior of Bryton, north of the Alexanderana/N.C. 115 intersection. The store will be accessed by a through street as part of the overall development. Phase 1A also proposes four smaller commercial outparcels bordering the Walmart parking lot.
David Peete, principal planner for Huntersville, says the “big block” retail operation is in keeping with the approved overall plan for Bryton, a transit-oriented development focusing on multiple means of access while featuring a wide range of uses.
Peete says pending road improvements on N.C. 115 and Alexanderana, proximity to I-485 and the anticipation of a Bryton-based commuter rail stop all combined to make the location ideal for Walmart.
“To their credit, the developers had a big box retail location on the master plan,” he says. “That simplifies the process for everyone. And while I can’t speak for Walmart, when the road and rail improvements are in place and all the groundwork has been done, those have to be positive factors. All you have to do is build your building.”
Peete, again emphasizing he doesn’t make the final decisions, says he envisions few obstacles and a potential quick progression from the drawing board to construction for the project.
“I suspect they will be fully permitted by the end of summer.” he says. “And I would think construction would start soon after. I think they would like to be up and running by the holidays season of 2012.”
