Wal-Mart Revises Plans For Midtown Miami Store
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – As a move to increase support for its store in Midtown Miami, Walmart late Thursday submitted redesigned plans to the City of Miami that places the supermarket immediately near independent shops and restaurants along Midtown Boulevard.
The 16,000-square-feet of retail would line the ground floor of one side of the Walmart store, providing a more interactive streetfront for pedestrians that maintains the character of the Midtown Miami project, CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald reports.
This additional retail building would be a joint venture between Walmart and Midtown Opportunities, the developer that owns the majority of the undeveloped property at Midtown.
Midtown Opportunities would develop the liner retail bulding and lease the property to retailers and restaurants. The plans were part of an amended permit application Walmart submitted to city staff for approval.
"Throughout this process, we have remained engaged with the surrounding community to discuss ways our plan could best serve local residents," said Steven Restivo, senior director of community affairs for Walmart. "Our plan now allows for additional retail that will not only compliment our store but also offer customers more choices for their shopping needs. Plus, we think the opportunity to activate an empty parcel will add an additional economic boost to the surrounding area."
Zyscovich Architects, the firm which created the master plan for Miami's Midtown, has been hired by Midtown Opportunities to design the retail space facing along Midtown Boulevard between NW 31st STreet and NW 29th Street. The space would have room for about four to six new restaurants and shops.
"The spirit of The Midtown Miami Master Plan has come alive with a variety of residential, commercial and retail establishments," said Bernard Zyscovich, President and Managing Partner of Zyscovich Architects. "The new project designs will ensure that the urban character of the district will be retained with new shops along Midtown Boulevard that will incorporate a modern design."
Walmart's revised plan also includes a slightly adjusted vision for the look of the entire store, providing additional metal canopies, awnings and a glass storefront. Pending the approval of city staff, Walmart hopes to begin construction this summer with an opening before the end of 2014.
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