Wal-Mart is considering building a supercenter at the site of its closed Sam's Club on McKnight Road in Ross.
Representatives of the retailer recently met informally with township commissioners and other municipal officials to present sketches and discuss development possibilities at the site of the former members-only warehouse. No formal plans have been submitted.
The company owns the land on which the former Sam's Club sits, as well as an adjacent former Chi-Chi's restaurant, which Wal-Mart bought last year.
"It is an opportunity we are very much interested in. McKnight is a very attractive retail location," said Wal-Mart spokesman Jim Davis. "We feel it's an area that is underserved, and we'd do very well if we opened a supercenter there."
Davis said it is not known when the company will make a decision or present plans to the township for review.
Commissioner Chris Eyster said the company's preliminary plans call for demolishing the Sam's Club and Chi-Chi's buildings. Davis said razing the restaurant would allow for better access to the site, as well as increased visibility.
A supercenter, which includes a grocery area, can range in size from 100,000 square feet up to 220,000 square feet, Davis said.
Eyster said he is concerned about the traffic impact of a Wal-Mart store, particularly on the nearby intersection of McKnight and Seibert roads.
"It's not a good situation now. There's a lot of traffic on it, and the last thing we'd want is to clog it up," he said. "There are a number of issues there. This might be an opportunity to improve the whole traffic situation in this area."
Commissioner Dan DeMarco said he told Wal-Mart representatives it is important that the company is open about its plans with the township and the public.
If a Wal-Mart is built, DeMarco said he would want the company to agree to use township businesses first for any services or supplies.
"There has been no decision made on the part of Ross Township," he said. "There will be no decision made unless they come forward with some type of plan."
Davis said a Wal-Mart development in Ross would not affect plans for a store at the former Dixmont site on Route 65 in Kilbuck, where unstable land has stalled development efforts. Wal-Mart operates 20 stores in the Pittsburgh region.
The Ross Sam's Club was closed in favor of a new location at the Mt. Nebo Pointe development in Ohio Township, Davis said.
