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Stoughton Wal-Mart
Mon 12/05/2005 -
Wal-Mart or no Wal-Mart, the City of Stoughton has been divided over the issue for at least 3 years. The debate revolves around 185 acres near US-51 and County B, land Wal-Mart wants to build a Supercenter on. "To have the gateway to the city look like a big shopping center I guess is very uncomfortable for me," says nearby resident, Jim Petrie. "Wal-Mart is pretty much the only general merchandise store we have in this community. If it goes away we become in what my opinion is just another bedroom community surrounding Madison," says Stoughton Alder Ron Christianson. Christianson says the lease for Wal-Mart's existing store downtown expires in a few years, leaving the company in need of a new place. But before plans for a Super Wal-Mart can begin, Stoughton has to annex the land. "I think the most important part is getting land that our community can expand on whether or not it's a Wal-Mart or whether or not it's residential," says Christianson. "This is a not-in-my-backyard thing for me. I don't want to see this whole land developed back here," says Petrie. The landowners however are pushing to sell. The Linneruds have re-applied for annexation. The first time they tried, the Council voted against it in September. Now, the fate of this parcel is in the hands of the Council once again. "I hope we can get over this, I hope we can move forward, I'm keeping my fingers crossed," says Christianson. Stoughton's City Council will vote on the annexation Tuesday, December 13th.
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