Publications & Sites 
Wal-Mart proposes super-store in Northbrook
Wal-Mart Supercenter site
Related Documents
Updated: December 14, 2012 9:32AM
NORTHBROOK — Wal-Mart hopes to build a 24-hour super-store on 13 acres in Northbrook at 1000 N. Skokie Blvd., despite concerns of neighboring residents.
The site, which is on the west side of Skokie and south of Sunset Ridge Road, previously was used by the adjacent Commonwealth Edison substation and offices for parking and vehicle maintenance.
The discount retailer has tentatively agreed to a contract with the property’s owner, Skodun, LLC, so it can build a 151,323-square-foot facility on the the southern 13 acres of the 18-acre site, according to a preliminary review application submitted to the village.
The property’s owner plans to retain the five acres not needed by Wal-Mart, and will ask the village to change its zoning from general office to boulevard commercial district to be compatible with the zoning Wal-Mart would need to operate there.
Plans for the super center call for a 658-space parking lot in front of the store, truck loading docks at its rear and an underground storm water detention vault beneath the lot, according to the application.
The site is also to host 2.3 acres of green space with 103 shade trees, 53 evergreen trees and 31 ornamental trees. The building itself will be made of architectural grade masonry and concrete blocks with two store entries highlighted by aluminum and glass.
Wal-Mart also noted that the construction would contain several sustainable features, making the proposed store 25 to 30 percent more efficient than a store constructed in 2005.
It plans to use recycled materials in the concrete pavement and building floor slab and its refrigeration will use a heat recovery system that supplies hot water with heat captured from the refrigeration process.
And the roof will boast “skylights to allow a daylight harvesting system, where the interior light levels are monitored and fixtures are dimmed or turned off during the day,” Wal-Mart said in its application.
The store will offer general merchandise, grocery and liquor, a pharmacy and a garden center.
It will also have tenants that may include a restaurant, photo studio, vision center, financial institution and medical office. And Wal-Mart expects to employ about 300 people, according to the application.
Robert L. Gamrath III of Quarles & Brady LLP, who is representing Walmart said that a company team met Nov. 28 with 15 to 20 neighbors who expressed concerns about the project.
Wal-Mart will continue meeting with neighbors as the project continues to make its way through the village process.
However, several neighbors already have notified the village of their concerns: increased traffic, noise and crime, overpowering lighting, decreased home values and loss of image, as well as Wal-Mart being detrimental to small businesses in the community.
Village President Sandara Frum noted that even if the board responded negatively to Wal-Mart’s initial presentation, which was scheduled for Dec. 11, a petitioner still has the absolute right to go through the process, which begins with review by the plan commission.
