The lack of signalization at the intersection of Oldham Drive and U.S. Highway 71 led to Walmart’s decision not to build a Neighborhood Market in that area.

The Arkansas Highway andTransportation Department emailed a letter to the city on Oct. 31, notifying the mayor that current traffic counts do not warrant placing a light at the intersection.

Bella Vista voters went to the polls Tuesday to decide whether6.2 acres at that location should be zoned C-4 commercial from its current R-1 residential. The polls were still open at press time Tuesday.

“Without a traffic signal, the intersection is not ideal and does not meet our typical standards of easy access for our customers,” Daniel Morales, director of Walmart communications and community relations, wrote in an emailed statement Monday afternoon.

“From day one it was our intention to install a fully-actuated traffic signal at this intersection and make the appropriate improvements to make this intersection accessible for residents and our customers as they shopped our store,” he

Morales said Walmart will move forward to find a more suitable location that will allow the company to serve its customers.

Landowner Betty Garcia said the news came as a shockto her.

“I received a message from the Realtor that represents Walmart that said they met and decided to terminate the contract,” she said.

“It’s devastating to invest in property and to have put everything you’ve got into what I thought was a good, sound investment,” she added.

Mayor Frank Anderson said it was “too bad” Walmart reached that decision.

“It’s a loss for the city,” Anderson said. “You can’t fault Walmart. It said before that it had to have a traffic signal.”

Anderson said he was disappointed that it happened so quickly, pointing out the Bella Vista Property Owners Association had made multiple requests before a signal was placed at Arkansas highways 279 and 340.

Anderson was uncertain if there was another location in Bella Vista that Walmart would belooking at.

As for the rezoning, Anderson thought a lot of people had already voted before Election Day, so he wasn’t sure if Walmart’s decision would change many votes.

Tony LiCausi, spokesman for Citizens for Responsible Development, said Walmart’s decision was good news for a lot of people.

“It will make a lot of people happy,” he said.

With northwest Arkansas growing, he hoped the site at Oldham Drive and U.S. 71 could be developed into a nice mixed-use development.

Alderman Doug Farner said he was obviously disappointed that Bella Vista wasn’t going to have the economic development.

“However, it doesn’t change the fact that we are going to have to develop commerce,” he said. “It just slows down getting economic development for Bella Vista.”

He hopes Walmart can find another location in the city.

Cassi Lapp contributed to this story.

News, Pages 1 on 11/07/2012