Despite Denials, Walmart Considering Dunedin Causeway Plaza

First published Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 9:35pm
By Local Editor Katie Dolac 

Plans for a Walmart Neighborhood Market in Causeway Plaza are long in the works despite a recent denial of the project from top city development officials.

Walmart officials have not yet signed a lease, but discussions with property owners and city officials about what it would take to bring the retail chain to the commercial space have gone on for the last 18 months, according to city documents obtained by Dunedin Patch Wednesday, June 26.

Vijay Walvekar, the property owner, is reserving vacant shopping center space in anticipation that the world’s largest retailer will come, sharing the plans and a letter of intent from project developers with city officials, according to minutes from an internal April 24 conference call with planning and development staff.

“The project would go from the north wall of the thrift store to the north wall of the Dollar General,” Walvekar said regarding redeveloping the 1970s-era shopping center. “The Italian restaurant and the pub would stay where they are.”

Subway, New China Wok and the bicycle shop, sandwiched between the Sheriff’s Youth Ranch Opportunity Store and the Dollar General, would need to be relocated as part of the renovation.

During the meeting, Walvekar told staff that in preliminary talks, Walmart agreed to front construction costs, but he would pay for demolition of present buildings.

Walvekar also is prepared to part with a half-acre parcel on the property just north of McDonald’s.

“I will sell it if Walmart signs a lease,” he said.

Bob Ironsmith, the city's economic and housing development director, suggested questions for Walvekar in an email to a handful of city staff, most of whom attended the April 24 review.

But when asked about rumors of the potential plans at Causeway Plaza he told Dunedin Patch in a one-sentence June 14 email, “have not heard of any such transaction.”

During the April 24 meeting with Walvekar, Greg Rice, city planning and development director, and several other staff members briefly outlined other requirements including the need for flood-proofing, traffic studies, parking, landscaping and fire lanes.

“It sounds like the city does not have any problems with the new location?” Walvekar asked.

“Correct,” Rice said.

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