Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which already has supercenters on Spokanes North Side and in Spokane Valley and has its sights set on the South Hill, plans to develop a supercenter on the West Plains.


BCRA, a Tacoma, Wash.-based architect thats representing Wal-Mart, has submitted plans to Spokane County for a 194,000-square-foot Wal-Mart supercenter that the giant retailer proposes to build near the northeast corner of U.S. 2 and Hayford Road, in the Cross Pointe Plaza shopping center.


Granite Investments LLC, a Spokane company led by developer Dick Vandervert, is developing Cross Pointe and has built two retail buildings there so far.


Ron Hand, development assistance coordinator for the county, says that before the plans were submitted, Granite Investments had six active building permits for proposed structures totaling 196,000 square feet of retail space at that location. Now, Hand says, the developer is asking to revise and combine those building permits so that the one large structure can be built.


He says since the county already has issued building permits for a similar use, construction of the new Wal-Mart can move ahead as soon as the county completes a review of and approves the proposed new structure. Hand says its unclear at this time when that process will be completed.


Plans submitted to the county show that the store would include supermarket space in addition to general retail space. Also, the store would include an automotive-service center, a hair salon, a vision center, a pharmacy, and a space for a restaurant tenant.


The store would be accessible from U.S. 2 and from Hayford Road.


The West Plains Wal-Mart outlet would be smaller than the giant chains stores near the Division Street Y, at 9212 N. Colton, and in Spokane Valley, at 15727 E. Broadway, but larger than its store at Shadle Center, at 2301 W. Wellesley, and one thats proposed for the South Hill, at the northeast corner of 44th Avenue and Regal Street.


A Wal-Mart spokeswoman couldnt be reached for comment. According to Wal-Marts Web site, the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer has more than 1,900 supercenters, in addition to more than 1,200 discount stores and more than 550 Sams Club stores.


Wal-Mart says a supercenter typically employs more than 350 people.


Contact Linn Parish at (509) 344-1266 or via e-mail at [email protected].