Preparations underway for new Walmart Neighborhood Market

The ground has been broken to start work on the new Walmart Neighborhood Market on Lorna Road. The 7.82-acre lot, previously occupied by the La Chateau apartment complex, was sold to Walmart for $2.8 million last year. The city occupied the 136-unit apartment complex last year.

Mayor Ivey said in his State of the City address that $60 million will have been spent on Galleria-area improvements, including this Walmart, by March. The new Van Maur department store is slated to open in November 2013. Schaeffer Eye center is opening in the former Marks Fitzgerald building and will move its headquarters from Trussville.