New 75th Street Walmart Supercenter Delayed

The target opening date for a proposed Walmart Supercenter has been pushed back several months due to delays.

Earlier: Walmart to Get Tax Break for New Naperville Supercenter 

Naperville City Council voted Tuesday night to reflect changes in the schedule of the proposed 170,000 square-foot development, which would be located on 75th Street and Beebe Drive.

After receiving a sales tax rebate of $1.75 million over 10 years, the store will take the place of Walmart’s current Naperville location, 776 S. Route 59.

According to the city, the original agreement required Walmart "to obtain ownership of the property by Jan. 1, 2013 and be open by Jan. 1, 2014." However, Walmart faced delays while finalizing details with the property owner as well as seeking confirmation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that no wetlands existed on the site of the development.

The proposed site for Walmart is bordered by Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve to the south and east and was previously part of the forest preserve before it was zoned for commercial use.   

Under the new agreement, Walmart must obtain ownership of the property by April 30, 2013, with the store open and operating by April 30, 2014. 

Naperville City Council members voted unanimously in August to adopt a resolution giving Walmart a sales tax incentive to relocate within the city. Councilman Joe Mcelroy, who was originally on the fence about the development but voted in favor of it in August, had a change of heart Tuesday. 

"It seems like this is one of those rare occasions were we actually get a second crack at the vote and I'm going to take advantage of it," he said.

While Mcelroy was the only dissenting vote Tuesday, other council members continued to stand by the project. 

"This was a good idea then, it's a good idea now," said Council member Grant Wherli. "If we don't do this Walmart goes literally across the street to Aurora taking all sales tax dollars with it, leaving us with a $1 million-hole in our general fund."