Groton Open Space Association

Wal-Mart Says No Plans Now To Build In Groton: The Day

Groton — The future of the Wal-Mart Supercenter proposed for Route 184, which has faced numerous obstacles from town land-use agencies, is in question, The Day said Jan. 13, 2009.

The Day continued, in an article by Katie Warchut:

Konover Development Corp. said in papers filed in New London Superior Court that it is no longer interested in the property.

The company appealed the Inland Wetlands Agency’s denial of an application for the site, which is to the east of Antonino Road.

”Wal-Mart has no plans at this time,” a company spokesman said, but would not elaborate on what that means for the site. The spokesman, along with Konover attorney Diane Whitney, referred questions to Konover officials.

”As far as I know, it won’t be built,” Whitney said. Wal-Mart filed plans in 2006 for a 200,000-square-foot building with retail space, warehouse storage, a fast-food restaurant and hardware store on about 30 acres of land.

Plans called for the existing store on Route 184 to close. It has faced opposition from neighbors and the non-profit Groton Open Space Association. The Planning Commission denied site plans for the store in 2007, mainly due to its location in the water resource protection district.

A subsequent application to the wetlands agency was denied, but the agency approved changes to existing permits in November.

The article elaborated on news Jan. 10 of the court filings by Konover on Jan. 8.