Open land near the intersection of SR-73 and Ranches Parkway is soon planned to be the home of a major retailer.
Walmart has announced plans to construct a location at the northwest corner of the intersection, just off what is known as Spring Run. Once complete, Eagle Mountain’s Walmart will comprise nearly 200,000 sq. ft. of retail space.
“We are honored that the retail giant Walmart is considering expanding into Eagle Mountain,” says Mayor Tom Westmoreland. “We look forward to working with them and welcoming them to our community.”
Walmart brings an additional shopping location to the community that will diversify Eagle Mountain’s retail base and serve residents’ day-to-day needs.
The proposed Walmart location is anticipated to generate an estimated $1 million in annual sales tax revenue. These dollars will be used to improve City services such as roads, parks and public safety.
Prior to the start of construction, planned to begin in 2023, the proposed Walmart site is slated for rezoning to a regional commercial designation. This change will be considered at the April 18 Eagle Mountain City Council meeting.
Council members will also consider the addition of language to Eagle Mountain City Code to provide for exceptions to compatible buffer zones to accommodate Walmart’s location.
Apart from zoning hurdles, traffic needs are anticipated to be a major consideration prior to the approval of Walmart’s new location.
“We are working with Walmart to improve plans for traffic flows, knowing that the Ranches Parkway and SR-73 intersection is already a very busy area,” says Eagle Mountain City Economic Development Director Evan Berrett. “Ideally, the presence of Walmart will help expedite UDOT’s plans to begin the planned widening of SR-73.”
The Utah Department of Transportation has Phase II plans to transform SR-73 into a freeway with frontage roads that will improve east/west traffic flow in Eagle Mountain within the next 10 years.
Walmart’s arrival in the community also acts as a signal for other companies to begin considering an Eagle Mountain location. These restaurants and retailers will further diversify the shopping options for residents.
Economic development in Eagle Mountain occasionally carries tax incentives that facilitate a company’s location in the community. That is not the case with Walmart as the retailer is not being offered incentives at this time.
“Eagle Mountain City did not seek to entice Walmart to construct a new store in Eagle Mountain,” says Berrett. “Walmart recognized the extreme growth and opportunity in Eagle Mountain. This will likely not be the only Walmart location in the decades to come.”
Once fully operational, Walmart will employ dozens in the community and provide additional construction jobs while work to build the site is ongoing.
Walmart operates more than 10,000 stores and clubs under 46 banners in 24 countries, according to their website.
*Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article indicated the rezone would come before the Eagle Mountain City Council on March 21. That date has been rescheduled to April 18.
