Homeowners and neighbors made their feelings well known regarding a potential third Walmart in Sioux Falls, but they aren't the only ones concerned about the superstore.
The University of Sioux Falls and Sioux Falls Christian School sit near the proposed site.
At last week's meeting Walmart officials unveiled their store blueprints to concerned homeowners. Officials said the store could see four thousand daily customers.
That increase in traffic raises a red flag for the teachers and students right across the street.
The streets are wide open now, but if Sioux Falls' third Walmart comes to town thousands of drivers will be stuck bumper to bumper.
"With the amount of kids we already have with a thousand kids and 560 families coming in and out every single day, with no bussing we have a lot of cars everyday including teenage drivers so putting that many people in the mix is not a wise move." Said Superintendent Jay Woudstra.
The Sanford Sports Complex, that USF calls home, is also right across the street. While they are happy to see more development in the area, they are also worried about traffic.
"Right now it's a two lane road and if someone wants to turn in to the stadium for a game it can create a logjam of traffic and that's one thing the city's going to have to look at widening the street, widening Cliff Avenue." Said Assistant Athletic Director Kevin Hesser.
Woudstra says parents not only object to the store's location but what will be sold inside.
"Another concern we have is the sale of alcohol being within 450 feet of or school building according to the numbers shared last week." Said Woudstra.
Walmart still has to get approval from the city before they could sell alcohol. That issue is one of many that will be discussed at the next meeting in March.
Woudstra says he will be there along with the many other community members to make sure their voices are heard.
"As a school we're not against Walmart, we're not against the store at all, just the location of the store doesn't make sense to us as a school." Said Woudstra.
Another concern is the potential for flooding. The area already has a hard time draining rain water.
Woudstra say adding a Walmart could cause flooding problems for Sioux Falls Christian, as well as the people further down stream along Spring Creek.
Again the next meeting is March, 7th at 7:00 at Carnegie Town Hall.
