Walmart eyes second Crestview location

CRESTVIEW—Walmart is turning its attention toward Crestview’s north end as it prepares site plans for a new Supercenter at Richbourg Lane and Industrial Drive.

The proposed site is currently undeveloped and sits on approximately 20 acres, according to Crestview Growth Management Director Teresa Gaillard. Some site clearing has already begun in the wooded area across from Johnny O’Quigley’s Ale House as planning stages are underway.

Originally proposed plans are being revamped after the company requested the addition of new sanitary sewer lines.

Developers have been in conversation with the city of Crestview, officials from Okaloosa County and the Florida Department of Transportation, Gaillard said. Although the proposed location falls outside city limits, the presence of a Walmart and accompanying gas station would be impactful to the city and State Road 85.

The company will know by June 30 whether it can secure a development order and begin construction. That process is looking “very favorable,” Gaillard said.

There’s no guaranteed construction timeline as of yet, even if the company secures the proper permitting. Progress on similar projects can take months or “sometimes years” to complete, Gaillard said.

The process can also be slowed by the company conducting thorough and rigorous site research and planning, something Walmart has been doing, Gaillard added.

The company already operates a Supercenter near the city’s south end at 3351 S. Ferdon Blvd. near Interstate 10. The addition of a second location is something some residents would prefer to avoid.

Several social media commenters reacted negatively to a News Bulletin release of site photographs on Friday and called for the city to open a Target.

"In reality, they are opening more businesses in Crestview but it's more of the same," Yanira Ortiz said via an Instagram message.

Ortiz lives between Crestview and Laurel Hill and said she faces a lengthy drive to Fort Walton Beach.

"If we had a variety [of businesses] in Crestview we could inject economy in Crestview and not have to buy in other cities," she added.

Jess Golden agrees.

"We're just doubling what we already have," Golden said via a message in reference to a second Walmart and Publix. "We need to bring in something new."

She suggested bringing in a Target or Kmart to make Walmart more competitive.

Luring Target to a city is easier said than done, according to Community Redevelopment Agency Director Brenda Smith in a previous interview.

The process involves a city marketing itself to Target and engaging the company in conversation, according to Smith. If the company expresses interest it will conduct a feasibility study and measure the city against a set of metrics, she added.

“Without a city master plan, [Target] won’t even consider looking at us,” Smith said.

Target corporate offices did not respond to a phone call and email on the matter.

Regardless of the city’s ability to lure a Target to town, Walmart is interested and is pursuing expansion in the Hub City with a second location.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Walmart eyes second Crestview location