Wal-Mart to begin construction soon

Kenneth Ma

HUNTINGTON BEACH--Construction on the controversial Wal--Mart store

will begin sometime this summer, once the developer receives all its

architectural and building-related permits from the city.

Cynthia Lin, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman, said the 135,000-square-foot

store--to be built on the 14-acre former Crest View school site on

Talbert Avenue near Beach Boulevard--probably will be completed by Spring

2001.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s proposal to build a store on the school grounds

ignited tense divisions within the city and sparked a local ballot

campaign to block the project.

Some people wanted the school property to be rezoned for residential

development. Others favored the retail store, saying it would generate

revenue for both the city and Ocean View School District.

Opponents tried unsuccessfully to block the project with a ballot

measure that would rezone the former campus for residential

development--a move that would have thwarted Wal-Mart’s plan to build the

store. In March, voters rejected Measure I by a slim margin, allowing the

retail giant to clear its last hurdle.

All outstanding city permits are considered to be minor procedural

matters.

Wal-Mart is required by the city to minimize noise, light and other

annoyances from the project, and it has plans to build a wall to separate

the construction area from nearby residences.