Elgin Walmart plan advances ... finally

The cliché "better late than never" certainly applies to the Walmart and Sam's Club plan for Randall and Bowes roads in Elgin.

Construction could conceivably begin in spring after the land was first annexed to the city back in 2006.

"Our hope is that they break ground in spring 2010," Mayor Ed Schock said. "(Wednesday) was a real giant step in that direction."

City leaders this week signed off on changes to the Walmart plan at 1000 S. Randall Road.

Once built, Walmart will close its existing Elgin location at Royal Boulevard and Randall.

But Schock said the two new large stores, along with development at seven other lots at the site, are estimated to produce more than $1 million a year more in sales taxes for the city.

"We are of course excited about the prospect of moving forward with our Elgin store relocation project as well as the new Sam's Club," said Walmart spokesman John Bisio.

Bisio said construction typically takes about 10 to 12 months.

He said about 75 to 100 employees will be added to the 225 already at the current Walmart store, while Sam's Club will have about 175 workers.

The world's largest retailer undertook a re-branding effort shortly after the plan was initially approved in 2006.

Walmart has scaled back its store along 73 acres at the southwest corner of Randall and Bowes from 203,619 square feet to 177,557 square feet.