The possibility of a Walmart Neighborhood Market moving into Bella Vista
had hundreds of people talking at Monday night's city council meeting.
"We as a council were elected to make decisions for Bella Vista now and in the future, so we have to look and see what's best," said Alderman Doug Farner.
The Bella Vista City Council approved rezoning land at Oldham Drive and Highway 71 from residential to commercial. The final vote at Monday night's meeting was 5-1.
Alderman Farner said the Planning Commission will now look at any proposed plans for the area.
"I think the right decision will be made down the road."
Chris Neeley, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Walmart, said the retailer is planning on moving in to town.
"Walmart will work with the city to develop a Walmart Neighborhood Market that is aesthetically pleasing to everyone in the community and will offer the everyday low prices that they always expect."
Some folks living in Bella Vista are worried about traffic at the proposed location.
"We don't need any large businesses in that area," said John Gilbert.
"It's such a mess in the mornings and evenings, and it'll just make it worse," said Grace Bender.
But Neeley said they heard the concerns, and brought solutions to the table.
"We included in our plans from the very beginning a traffic light, turning lanes to alleviate any traffic concerns."
Several folks are glad a Walmart Neighborhood Market might be on the horizon.
"I think it's going to be good for the economy, and it's going to create jobs, which are not very abundant in Bella Vista," said Mark Kendall.
"We would really like to be able to keep the money here in Bella Vista," said Mary Kendall.
Others folks, however, are still not fans of the idea.
But, Farner said these are just the beginning stages of a long process.
"There are a lot of steps that Walmart has to go through."
And Neeley believes teamwork will be the key to success.
"We can all work together to build and develop communities, especially communities like Bella Vista."
"We as a council were elected to make decisions for Bella Vista now and in the future, so we have to look and see what's best," said Alderman Doug Farner.
The Bella Vista City Council approved rezoning land at Oldham Drive and Highway 71 from residential to commercial. The final vote at Monday night's meeting was 5-1.
Alderman Farner said the Planning Commission will now look at any proposed plans for the area.
"I think the right decision will be made down the road."
Chris Neeley, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Walmart, said the retailer is planning on moving in to town.
"Walmart will work with the city to develop a Walmart Neighborhood Market that is aesthetically pleasing to everyone in the community and will offer the everyday low prices that they always expect."
Some folks living in Bella Vista are worried about traffic at the proposed location.
"We don't need any large businesses in that area," said John Gilbert.
"It's such a mess in the mornings and evenings, and it'll just make it worse," said Grace Bender.
But Neeley said they heard the concerns, and brought solutions to the table.
"We included in our plans from the very beginning a traffic light, turning lanes to alleviate any traffic concerns."
Several folks are glad a Walmart Neighborhood Market might be on the horizon.
"I think it's going to be good for the economy, and it's going to create jobs, which are not very abundant in Bella Vista," said Mark Kendall.
"We would really like to be able to keep the money here in Bella Vista," said Mary Kendall.
Others folks, however, are still not fans of the idea.
But, Farner said these are just the beginning stages of a long process.
"There are a lot of steps that Walmart has to go through."
And Neeley believes teamwork will be the key to success.
"We can all work together to build and develop communities, especially communities like Bella Vista."
