Construction of new Wal-Mart met with mixed opinions

Wal-Mart, the largest retailer in the nation, attracts thousands of customers to its stores every day. Six Wal-Marts are within 20 miles of downtown Savannah, and two of these are within five miles of AASU. Still, the company is constructing a brand-new "town center" style Wal-Mart just a half mile from campus.

Due to Wal-Mart's large consumer following, it is quite common for smaller retailers to spring up around Wal-Marts. This can be helpful to an area's economy, as many jobs are created both through Wal-Mart and the abundance of smaller businesses that pop up nearby.

In the case of the new Abercorn Street Wal-Mart, it's not very likely there will be many new businesses popping up – at least in terms of physical buildings. The area is already well developed.

Barbara Higgins, personnel manager of the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Montgomery Cross Road, said a typical Wal-Mart Supercenter employs around 600 people.

"The new Wal-Mart on Abercorn will likely employ about the same number we do," she said.

This means AASU students in the market for jobs will have new chances for employment.

Even with the possibility of new job creation, it's hard to overlook the reason Wal-Mart is so successful. It is among the most fiercely competitive retail chains, allowing it to secure its position as the number-one revenue-earning business in the nation for many years. Stores already in the area in direct competition with Wal-Mart may be in danger.

"It is a scary thought," said AASU student Anna Thomas, who is a cashier at Kroger on Abercorn Street. "It's hard to beat Wal-Mart, but I think we'll be okay."

She and other employees of Kroger are obviously aware of the huge competition coming soon, but the thought does not seem to phase them.

"I'm not too worried," said Kroger employee John Price. "Sure, a lot of people go to Wal-Mart, but a lot of people come here, too, or we wouldn't be here."

Other businesses in the area may benefit from the increased traffic brought by the new Wal-Mart.

"It's been slow here," said Amanda Collins, a student and server at Texas Roadhouse in Savannah Mall. "Hopefully the Wal-Mart will bring in more customers."

Collins said that were it not for the Savannah Mall's staple stores, Target and Bass Pro Shops, it would be almost impossible for the mall's smaller stores to stay open.

"Sure, we get business," she said. "But I'd be willing to bet we get at least twice as much with a huge Wal-Mart right across the street."

Increased business may also mean something else for the Southside corridor: a logistical nightmare. As earlier editions of The Inkwell have reported, city officials have already expressed concern about Abercorn Street backing up due to AASU traffic alone. A brand new Wal-Mart will likely result in further traffic increases.

Luckily, the issue has already been initially addressed. Before construction of the new store could begin, Wal-Mart had to petition City Council to allow it to relocate Fulton Road, the small road running behind both Kroger and the Wal-Mart property.

Wal-Mart's official company figures estimate that a Supercenter will generally attract roughly 10,000 car trips per day. Considering the already high volume of traffic on Abercorn Street, the new store will likely prove problematic for daily commuters.

"Honestly, I'm more worried about the traffic than I am my job," Thomas said. "Traffic's bad enough as it is. Once Wal-Mart opens, I may never make it to class."

Traffic was not the only reason altering Fulton Road was a requirement for the store's construction. Without it, the new building would not be able to fit its planned 151,000 square-foot floor plan alongside required infrastructure accommodations, especially those involving drainage in the already low area.

"In case you were unaware, Southside Savannah is only a few feet higher than the marsh surrounding it," said Savannah firefighter Johnny Bruiswieser. "Without a lot of effort, a heavy rain would wash away the whole area."

The new Wal-Mart is situated less than three-quarters of a mile away from the Rio Road boat landing into Hoover Creek, part of the vast expanse of marshland surrounding Savannah.

There is no way to accurately predict how the new Supercenter will affect AASU students and the Southside.

"Traffic and other inconveniences aside, I'd say more business on the Southside can't be a bad thing," Bruiswieser said.