Springdale welcomes more retail

Springdale’s retail center has struggled to regain its footing since Sam’s Club moved to Fayetteville several years ago taking it with thousands of dollars in tax revenue.

But Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced this week it plans to build a second supercenter in the dead middle of Springdale — just north of Elm Springs Road, between I-540 and Oak Grove Road.

"Walmart's presence on this interchange, on this corner, will open up Northwest Springdale like no other retail development could," said Robin Lundstrum, representing the landowners.

"Coupled with street improvements, schools and a park, this development corridor will rival anything in Northwest Arkansas," Lundstrum added.

Walmart officials say the new store will result in approximately 300 new jobs. The building is the largest currently being built by the company in the United States. In addition to many now-standard energy efficient design elements, the Springdale location will be the first in Northwest Arkansas with LED parking lot lighting.

Mayor Doug Sprouse expressed his excitement about another major new retail development that includes 11 lots that will be developed for restaurants and retail. Sprouse noted the recent approval of bonds by Springdale voters will allow for the extension of 56th Street north from the new Don Tyson Parkway I-540 interchange to Elm Springs Road creating a major connector for traffic and future retail development.