Wal-Mart breaks ground in Jefferson

By Steve Sharp of the Daily Times staff
Wednesday, May 30, 2007 12:24 PM CDT

Jefferson city officials, along with Wal-Mart representatives, broke ground Tuesday for a new Wal-Mart Supercenter on the city’s south side, just east of state Highway 26. Shown from left at the ceremony are former city mayor and alderman Arnold Brawders, Janet Werner of the chamber of commerce, Jefferson Mayor Gary Myers, Alderman Toby Tully Jr. and Lisa B. Nelson of Wal-Mart. (STEVE SHARP/Daily Times)

JEFFERSON - Jefferson city officials, along with representatives from Wal-Mart, gathered late Tuesday morning in a barren, dusty field south of town to break ground on the site of what is predicted by many to be the bustling anchor of the city's “new” retail economy - a long-awaited Wal-Mart Supercenter.

“I'd like to say thanks to the Wal-Mart representatives here today,” Jefferson Mayor Gary Myers said, addressing a group of about 50 people gathered on County Highway K just east of the city's south water tower. “Lisa Nelson, Hank Gemplar and Steve Johnstone have been a pleasure to work with over these past several months. From the design of the project, to the negotiation of the developer's agreement, to working out issues with groundwater and highway access, these people have been professional in every way.”

Myers said the city looks forward to working with Wal-Mart during the construction phase, and long after the grand opening, slated for spring of 2008.

“Our relationship has begun in the spirit of cooperation, respect and mutual benefit, and we know that relationship will only strengthen over time,” Myers said.

Myers recognized the fact that what he termed the “campaign” for Wal-Mart - fought by a focused group of local citizens - was a long battle. He thanked the leaders of the Committee for a Better Jefferson, as well as former mayors Arnold Brawders and Collin Stevens, Tom Pinnow and the Jefferson Development Commission, for their efforts. The planning commission of the city was also commended, along with the city council. The late Eugene Benka of the city council was named as being integral to the process of siting the Wal-Mart. Despite the fact some in the city of Jefferson and the surrounding area fought against the location of a Wal-Mart in Jefferson, no protesters appeared for the groundbreaking.

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“I'd also like to acknowledge the professionalism of city attorney Ben Brantmeier, city engineer Dan Ludwig, former city administrator Bruce Bierma and all of the city staff,” Myers said. “These folks did an excellent job representing the city and you can be proud of them all.”

Myers said, with its clock tower and city streetscape facade that is in harmony with the city's historic downtown, the facility Wal-Mart is building will be unique to Jefferson. The supercenter design is not only attractive, he said, but is an environmentally friendly model of the latest in energy saving technology.

The new supercenter is expected to add more than 325 jobs and significantly increase the nonresidential tax base.

“It will become a destination, not only for shoppers, but for other businesses looking for a place to prosper,” he said. “This groundbreaking is more than the start of a major construction project, it signals new and positive futures.”

Myers said he is looking forward to responsible growth “at all four compass points in Jefferson.” He said these points are delineated by Renew Energy to the north, St. Coletta's expansion to the east, growth of the fair park and schools to the west, and additional businesses that will be attracted to the south side, as well as to the three intersections offered by the state Highway 26 bypass of 2010.

“Most of all, I look forward to our Redevelopment Authority becoming increasingly active and aggressive as its members execute our exciting downtown and riverfront redevelopment plan,” Myers said.

Myers wished representatives of general contractor Corporate Construction, Bill Schumann and Dewey Schuler, luck with their work on the facility.

Wal-Mart's senior public affairs manager for Wisconsin, Lisa B. Nelson, then made her remarks that the supercenter is expected to take 10 months to complete. This will be followed by a period to stock the store and prepare it for a grand opening in early 2008. She said hiring and training of associates for the store will begin approximately three months before it opens.

Nelson said the store will include sporting goods, lawn and garden products, apparel and general merchandise, as well as a grocery food center featuring dairy, meat, produce and a wide variety of nonperishable foods. It will also feature a pharmacy, optical section and seasonal sales area.

“Overall, the store will provide customers with a modern, convenient shopping experience,” Nelson said. “These will include wide aisles to avoid shopping cart congestion, low shelves for product display and selection, multiple entrances for easy store access and multiple checkout aisles including some self-serve checkouts.”

The store design and equipment, she said, will also focus on energy efficiency and conservation.

She said, with more than 28,000 associates in Wisconsin, Wal-Mart is the state's largest employer. The company currently has 50 supercenters, as well as 27 discount stores and 12 Sam's Clubs, along with three distribution centers in the state.