Lowe's coming to Wetumpka

March 23, 2007

Peggy Blackburn
The Wetumpka Herald
Article Source

Local shoppers may be able to make some of this year’s Christmas purchases in a brand-new store. Monday, Wetumpka City Council members agreed to fund infrastructure improvements that will bring a Lowe’s to the city.

Earlon McWhorter of Anniston’s McWhorter Properties detailed the project details for council members.

“Over the past year and a half to two years we’ve been attempting to purchase property for this project in Wetumpka,” said McWhorter. “Now we’ve successfully negotiated the purchase.”

The property fronts the west side of U.S. Hwy. 231, opposite Shoney’s, Wal-Mart and Pri-Med.

“We’ve submitted a cost estimate to Lowe’s that’s been conditionally approved,” said McWhorter. “We have already done most of the engineering for the wetlands permit and are preparing it for submission to the Corps of Engineers. We’ve also met with the Alabama Department of Transportation about the traffic signal.”

McWhorter explained that a commitment by the city was the final ingredient to make things happen.

“In addition, we’re asking the city to provide some things for this,” he said. “To go ahead, we need to get the back half of the property annexed into the city. And we’re asking the city for a commitment to infrastructure that will include an addition to the traffic signal and two access roads n one from 231 to the back or the property, the other across the front of the property.

“The estimated cost of those improvements $1 million,” continued McWhorter. “Without the city’s commitment, we can’t go ahead with the project.”

Council members did not hesitate to unanimously approve a motion to provide the necessary infrastructure to bring the nationally-known retailer to Wetumpka.

“Projections show that we’ll recoup our money in a year to 14 months of sales taxes that Lowe’s will produce,” said District 5 Councilman Chick McConnell. “After that those taxes will go straight to the city n and that doesn’t count any businesses in addition to Lowe’s.”

And there will be other merchants. Three out parcels will be developed between Hwy. 231 and the access road installed near the front of the property n and others will likely follow on the other access road. McWhorter said he did not yet know what other businesses may be on the way.

The Wetumpka Lowe’s will have a 94,000-square-foot sales area n slightly smaller that the Lowe’s store in Prattville. The business will also employ 75 to 100 full-and part-time employees at different levels of income.

“Store revenue is conservatively estimated at about $25 million per year,” McWhorter said. “We’re excited about the possibilities.”

Wetumpka resident Mary Peck was also pleased with the news.

“This is really exciting to see Lowe’s come here,” she said. “And I can’t wait to find out what other businesses will be coming to Wetumpka on the other parcels.”