New Wal-Mart to open this month

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s (NYSE: WMT) new Neighborhood Market at Grand Street and Campbell Avenue is slated to open later this month.

The $2.6 million, 41,000-square-foot market is advertising a 7:30 a.m. March 16 opening on a sign outside the store.

Constructed by Green Bay, Wis.-based Immel Construction and designed by Bentonville, Ark.-based Harrison French & Associates, the Neighborhood Market marks Wal-Mart’s 13th store in Springfield.

Late last year, the company announced it was hiring around 95 for the store.

Springfield’s sixth Neighborhood Market met with controversy in its early stages.

Developed at the site of the former Life 360 Church, opponents started a petition to repeal City Council’s February 2013 rezoning that forwarded store plans.

After the city moved to send the issue to voters, Life 360 representatives filed a lawsuit against the city asserting the church would be financially harmed if the approval was reversed. Courts ruled three times in favor of the church, allowing Wal-Mart to proceed with its plans.