Walmart just spent $16.5 million to acquire a 20-acre site in Ocala where it is building a 170,000-square-foot “Supercenter.”
Wal Mart Stores East LP purchased the 19.61-acre parcel in southwest Ocala from Marion Oaks TRS Station LLC and Phillips Edison Group, LLC for $16,513,258.58 on Monday, April 20.
State corporate records show that Wal Mart Stores East LP is registered to WSE Management, LLC, which is a subsidiary of Walmart, Inc.
Ocala-News.com announced plans for the new Walmart along County Road 484 in February.
Although the original site plan was introduced last year, at the time of its introduction, it was unclear what retailer would occupy the site.
On Monday, an updated major site plan for the new store was submitted to the Marion County Development Review Committee.
The property is situated near the intersection of SW Highway 484 and SW 57th Avenue Road, just a couple miles from CR 484’s intersection with Interstate 75.
Although the developer’s application has not previously named the type of business, site plans depict a layout characteristic of a Walmart Supercenter.
The projected building is approximately 170,995 square feet in size, which is bigger than most Walmart Neighborhood Markets and Sam’s Club locations.
The site of the new Walmart is located near several other major developments, including a new Publix under construction, as well a new residential community.
The site plan also outlines a separate “Retail 1” building that is 146,261 square feet, along with an attached 8,027-square-foot liquor store.
The design also includes specific infrastructure for a “Grocery Pickup” area and pharmacy drive-thru lanes, standard features for the retail giant’s new locations.
The plans also show potential for future outparcels lining SW Highway 484 that would share access with the main store.
Outside of the new store coming to Ocala, Walmart has been aggressively expanding or improving its footprint of stores across Marion and Sumter County.
Last week, the company announced that its Supercenter in Dunnellon will be renovated as part of a massive investment to improve 58 stores in Florida.
Days prior, Walmart acquired a multi-acre property in Ocala that currently houses one of their locations after a decade of leasing the site to free up real estate assets.
Earlier this year, a new Walmart Neighborhood Market celebrated its grand opening on Maricamp Road.
Another store is under construction in the very southern tip of Marion County. That location, which is technically in The Villages, should open later this year.
What are your thoughts on the new project coming to SW County Road 484? Share a comment below or, if you have more to say on the topic, write a letter to the editor.