Groton Open Space Association

Planned Wal-Mart In-Place Expansion Would Add 33% To Building Area

GROTON — Wal-Mart’s previously reported Inland Wetlands Agency application to expand its current store at 150 Goldstar Highway (Route 184) foresees a 33% increase in building space on the site.

A report submitted by the retailer to the IWA says the project entails addition of 39,845 square feet. Upon completion, the total building area is to amount to 159,674 square feet. That is approximately 3.7 acres. The stormwater management report containing the square footage figures was prepared by Doucet & Associates Inc., Northampton, MA. The building expansion will take place primarily on Wal-Mart parking lot space to the east of the current building.

 The decision to expand the current facility is a 180-degree change in direction for the retailer, which earlier planned to close the 150 Goldstar Highway store and switch Groton operations to a new supercenter farther east on the highway.

 In January 2009, Wal-Mart and Konover Development Corp. dropped the project to build the brand-new supercenter, which had faced opposition from regulatory authorities and the community as being too close to the Groton Utilities reservoir system.

Wal-Mart’s application to expand on site was presented to the IWA at its meeting July 28.