Wal-Mart Pulls Out

A giant retailer gives in ... Pulling out of a deal to build on the west side. Neighbors say it's a victory ... But they're keeping a watchful eye on what could go there next. Since 1993 ... West side neighbors fought and fought Wal-Mart ... But no one conceded .... until today. The mayor says he didn't discourage the big retailer from building ... But they did tell him ... If it's not what the neighbors wanted then they would back out. Now ... This piece of property is under new management ... Which the mayor says it sounds like it could be another strip mall on the west side. Neighbors say they're on board ... But still have concerns. But the mayor couldn't assure them that the Wal-Mart deal could resurface ... He says the new developer plans to extend Yucan Drive ... Blocking out giant retailers. "I could say in the fact that there is no room for a big box if in fact you divide this piece of property up into eight, nine different pieces of land. It's impossible to put a big box there." said Springfield Mayor, Tim Davlin. Southwest Springfield Neighborhood Association President, Roger Kanerva has his concerns too, "The way they do it, could still be very important. How they access Wabash. How the site is laid out. How they handle the storm water. Will they handle noise concerns depends on which way the building faces." Neighbors also say the Parkway Pointe Wal-Mart should consider expanding its current site into a Super Wal-Mart. Neither Wal-Mart nor the developer were available for comment. The mayor says ... There could be another location on the west side ... Where it could go is still unknown. But neighbors say it should go out by the interstate ... But that's outside district 186 ... Meaning local school could miss out on tax dollars.