Historical Concerns

A coalition of Civil War preservation and conservation groups has raised concerns about the location of the new store. In particular, concerns have been expressed that the store would hurt the Wilderness Battlefield. Walmart is sensitive to these concerns and committed to ensuring that the store fits in with the surrounding area and character of Orange County.

• The property has been zoned for commercial use for more than twenty years. If the Walmart store is not built, there is nothing preventing a series of other retail projects less than 60,000 square feet from being built on the property by right.
• The property is designated for commercial development in the County's Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted following extensive public input.
• There is a significant amount of retail development between the Wilderness Battlefield Park and our proposed site including: a large Sheetz, 7-11, Wachovia Bank, McDonalds and two strip malls.
• In addition to the extensive existing commercial development in front of the site, a four-lane divided highway also separates the site from the Park.
• The store will be set back nearly ¼ mile from Route 3 and be separated by a natural tree buffer 400 feet long and 100 feet wide.
• The architecture of the proposed store has been uniquely designed to fit in with the special character of the community.
• Visitors travelling to the Wilderness Battlefield from all points except west on Route 3 will not pass in front of the new store.