WALMART TO BREAK GROUND ON NEW STORE EAST OF DESTIN

Two Walmarts in the Panhandle of Florida (Niceville and Santa Rosa Beach) being built and expected to be completed within a year. Do you think the one of the largest Companies in the world might know something here? Yes, they do!!! Don't be paralyzed by the national media, the news is not all bad. The Panhandle is on the eyes of the country for a number of reasons. People still need to buy food, clothing, and a number of other things. People are moving here because of jobs, by choice or directed (i.e. military).

Waiting for Walmart
Ground could be broken soon for the store in South Walton
By ANGEL McCURDY
Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4432 amccurdy@nwfdailynews.com  

SANTA ROSA BEACH — Ground should be broken any day on the Walmart in South Walton County. The last of the fees have been paid and permits have been issued, said Buddy Wright, a county planner. He said the next phase will deal with the construction crews hired for the project. “The ball’s in their court,” Wright said. “They could start digging dirt tomorrow if they wanted to.” The new Walmart will be part of the larger Topsail West development near the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and West Hewett Road. Construction of the 78,290-square-foot Walmart will be Phase I of the development. The St. Joe Co. has designated 116 acres for Topsail West. The development is proposed to include more than 308,000 square feet of retail space, 5,000 square feet of office space, 190 senior-living units, 110 assisted-living units and 310 multi-family units, according to previous reports. Topsail West is expected to be built in phases. The final phase is not expected to be completed until 2020. Michael Smith, project superintendent for TD Farrell Construction, said a surveyor must visit the property before construction begins. A trailer for the work crews also must be placed on the land, he said. “Everything is preliminary,” Smith said. “We’re plotting coordinates and getting ready to begin.” Smith said he expects construction will take less than eight months, based on his previous work for Walmart. “For now, we’re just working on getting the project started and we’ll see what happens,” Smith said.