Wal-martization of Wetlands
Judd Halenza | Crest

Photo illustration Art Olson

The Fairgrounds Master Plan includes over 1,000,000 square feet of new development:

Exhibit building 198,000 SF
1,560 space parking garage 546,000 SF
330 unit condo hotel 100,000 to 300,000 SF
Conference facility 18,000 SF
Admin/office building 58,065 SF
Health club/sports training facility 60,000 SF

To put that huge number into proportion, think of ten “old” Wal-Mart stores in addition to what is already on the property. The “new” Wal-Mart superstores are hyper marts averaging 197,000 square feet. There would be “only” five of those stuffed onto the fairgrounds.