Waiting for Walmart? Rainy forecast may delay Oct. 14 opening of new Pittsfield Township store
Walmart's grand opening in Pittsfield Township now depends on the weather.
Forecasts call for rain on five of the next eight days before its planned opening date of Oct. 14.
And while road crews are entering the final stretch of finishing the many improvements that need to be completed before the store opens, some of that work - like painting new pavement markings - can't take place in the rain.
The store was supposed to open amid back-to-school sales in August, but the road construction just didn't keep pace with that date, as detailed in a previous story.
Now company officials - which still are not responding directly to my requests for information - appear committed to the Oct. 14 opening at 7:30 a.m., with presumably as much fanfare as any other of the retail giants' openings.
They're also hosting a "VIP" open house at the store on Sunday night to launch this second Walmart in Washtenaw County.
But that road work is still the last hurdle.
Progress is being made - just not as much as a store associate indicated in a recent AnnArbor.com post that said it would be done on Monday.
The crews completed leveling on Monday, said Matt MacDonell of the Washtenaw County Road Commission.
"Now they're adjusting structures in the roadway," he told me this morning. One example of what that means: Raising manhole covers.
And the work will continue: "They're scheduled to do some pavement marking today," MacDonell said.
"However," he added, "it looks like it’s going to rain."
That rain will determine the pace of work over the next eight days as crews try to meet the deadline. The store can't open until the roadwork is done, per the original agreement with the township. And the work is being done by Walmart's own crews, so they've been in control of the process.
Still to come on the road: Signal shifting (that could be today or Wednesday), laying the top course of asphalt, which will take up to three days, and permanent pavement markings.
MacDonell said he presumes that the crews will take advantage of any break in the weather: "They may be paving on Sunday."
Comments
yumihoni
Wed, Oct 7, 2009 : 10:19 a.m.
I agree with PJ! If you shop at the other stores, what benefit are you bringing?? Walmart is nothing but an upgraded Meijer. There is nothing you can get at Meijer that you can't get from a Super Walmart. And you will get it cheaper. I am a loyal walmart shopper, if I can't get it at walmart I probably won't. The only reason I shop Kroger is because I couldn't get my groceries at Walmart. Now I can! No I don't agree with some of their policies concerning their employees, but in these days and times, they have the best deals. So don't snub your nose up to a good store.
PJ
Tue, Oct 6, 2009 : 6:58 p.m.
Briegel and uawisok so I guess I won't be seeing you at Target, ACO, Meijer or any other stores that sell Chinese products? Just because WalMart sells more doesn't mean the others don't. Maybe just concentrate on Kellogg, Faygo, etc products. I don't like WalMark much either, but if they sell the same items for less money, why not. Alan, I've been in several in other states (they are not like the Ypsi store) so you may be pleasantly surprised.
Alan
Tue, Oct 6, 2009 : 4:23 p.m.
Ill stick with Meijer. Better and closer. Ive only set foot in walmart a handful of times and every time Ive left empty handed, annoyed, and depressed
David Briegel
Tue, Oct 6, 2009 : 4:19 p.m.
Elitists are...?bad? I'm confused. I thought everyone aspired to be elite. It generally means intelligent, wealthy, succesful, finest, best, most distinguished, powerful. You Amer'ca hatin', terrist luvin' lemmings can shop at the China/Walmart. Like uawisok, I will shop local and American! I'm a patriot! A progressive patriot!!
John Galt
Tue, Oct 6, 2009 : 3:41 p.m.
You mean a new business is opening in the area? Well, I'm sure some of the elitists in A2 will never shop there, but I think it's a good thing.
uawisok
Tue, Oct 6, 2009 : 11:11 a.m.
RAIN OR SHINE...i WON'T EVER BE THERE SHOPPING!! I support local "Mom & Pop" stores...Shop Local!!!