Walmart Supercenter Proposed for Cortlandt

wants to move a supercenter into the lot across from the Cortlandt Town Center off Route 6, according to the developer hoping to build it. 

Westrock Development discussed its plans for the 161,000 square foot super store to the town board this week and explained that Walmart is fully on board with the project. If the town allows the project, the supercenter would replace the current Walmart located within the  Town Supervisor Linda Puglisi said that while the town does not want Walmart to leave Cortlandt, she and residents have concerns over the proposal.

“This will beautify Cortlandt Boulevard. We are hoping that it facilitates the installation of a sewer along Route 6 and hoping it facilitates a new traffic light for residents of Baker Street to make it safer and it will keep Walmart in the Town of Cortlandt,” Westrock Developer Jason Friedland told Patch.

The current Walmart’s lease expires in about four years and Walmart officials want to open a supercenter as opposed to the smaller store they have now. But the Cortlandt Town Center management’s non-compete clause would prevent Walmart from building a supermarket because of the A&P located in the center, Friedland said. So Walmart is seeking a more accomodating location.

Westrock has owned the 36-acre lot across from the town center, which currently has the Puppies, Puppies, Puppies and a few other small businesses, for more than six years and to open a large shopping mall. The lot is half commercial and half residential so a supercenter would require the town to rezone part of the parcel, which is not a decision they will make hurriedly. 

"It's too large," Puglisi said in an email to Patch. She cited concerns over traffic and accidents in the area; the impact of a super store on the residential neighborhood that abuts the property and the impact to current grocery stores and empty spaces at the Cortladnt Town Center.

Friedland said that Westrock would donate 14 acres to the Town to serve as a buffer area between the store and the neighborhood behind it.

The Lakeland Central School District’s l is right across the street from the proposed Walmart. When asked how the project may effect the schools, Friedland said that "the main issue as it relates to the school is that the school is on a septic system which is leaking on to Westrock’s property."

“It is disgusting,” he said. “To have the school on a brand new sewer system is much better.”

In regards to other traffic and noise concerns Friedland said “we have a whole bunch of professionals working on all the issues.”

The Walmart would help pay for a system that the town wants to build and Westrock engineers have been working with town engineers on the system, Friedland said. Walmart would pay for a large part of the building of the system and then take a heavy tax burden off other businesses along the Route 6 corridor, Friedland said.

While Puglisi has concerns over such a large supercenter, she explained that she does not want to see Walmart leave Cortlandt. "We don't want Wal-Mart to leave our area, it's a very popular store and helps our local economy with jobs, revenue and provides an inventory and variety of products that are affordable for our families." 

With Walmart and Westrock in agreement on the plans, the project depends on the Town of Cortlandt.

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