Wal-Mart in Downtown Tacoma?

Judging from my inbox this morning, y’all want to talk about Wal-Mart.  I’ll be honest, I read Voelpel’s column and thought April Fools joke.  If it isn’t, well…

Let’s just say I’m a bit skeptical of any rumor that Wal-Mart may consider a location in downtown Tacoma.  The new hip urban mixed use White Plains Wal Mart cited in the article is located in downtown, but it’s also located on a major arterial within a few blocks of the freeway and three blocks of three different malls.  That’s not exactly the downtown Tacoma situation.  Neighborhood density with the right demographic.  Freeway access.  Road infrastructure for customers and trucks.  Visibility from major thoroughfares.  If Wal-Mart did want to locate something new in our fair city, I see them trying to find a location along the I-5 spine south of the Tacoma Mall.  But who am I to make such predictions…

Any thoughts?

Link to The News Tribune