Walmart Neighborhood Market & fuel station expected for site near Apopka

Retail giant Walmart may be planning a stand-alone grocery store and fuel station on the Seminole/Orange County border near Apopka, according to a recent filing with the St. Johns River Water Management District.

An application submitted March 24 by property owner Taurus Investment Holdings asks the water management agency for a minor modification to an existing environmental resource permit (ERP). The existing permit is for a 12.15-acre commercial development at the southwest corner of S.R. 436 and Balmy Beach Drive.

Taurus purchased the property for $4.1 million in April 2016. At the time, the real estate private equity firm was working with Seminole County on plans to build a 42,000-square-foot grocery store.

Taurus Managing Director Craig Govan declined to tell GrowthSpotter back in May 2016 who the tenant would be, because his firm was still negotiating with several grocers.

Taurus' recent request for an ERP modification is for a 1-acre outparcel in front of the proposed grocery store, and is titled "Proposed Walmart Fuel Station." While Govan did not respond to request for comment on Monday, the grocery brand appears to be a Walmart Neighborhood Market.

Walmart fuel stations rarely are stand-alone developments, and the 42,000-square-foot size of the proposed grocery building is in line with the prototype Neighborhood Market store.

The Taurus site sits less than a half mile west of the Publix at Hunt Club Corners, setting up a competitive situation with the grocery market leader.

Walmart is in the process of revamping its Neighborhood Market brand. Last week in Myrtle Beach, S.C., the company opened a new prototype store that features polished granite floors, wider aisles and updated signage, a full-service deli, and in-store bakery offering personalized cakes, fresh baked breads and made-to-order pizza.

Lochrane Engineering is civil engineer on the Taurus project.

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