Officials help break ground on Saugus Walmart

SAUGUS – Construction on the Route 1 North Walmart will start later this summer and the store, featuring an underground garage and a grocery department, will open in just over a year, a company spokesman said Friday.Trade union representatives, state legislators and town officials joined Walmart Public Affairs Director Christopher Buchanan in breaking ground on the 115,000 square foot store site next to McDonald’s.View the plansBuchanan said the store will employ more than 125 workers, referred to as associates by Walmart, and Plumbers and Gasfitters Local 12 Business Agent Tim Fandel said the construction project will employ at least 200 workers.”We’re truly partners in this project. Having unions involved provides opportunities for skilled trade workers and for the community,” Fandel said.On the drawing board for two years, the Walmart project includes upgrades to water pipes along Route 1 and other improvements, for which state Rep. Kathi-Anne Reinstein credited state Sen. Thomas M. McGee. Reinstein said Walmart’s Route 1 presence will add to town property tax revenue.”I have to warn you: My mother will be here every day,” Reinstein said.Town officials praised Walmart for adding jobs to Route 1 and giving area shoppers more store options. Selectmen Michael Serino credited Walmart’s commitment to hiring veterans, Debra Panetta said the store will bring more property tax dollars to Saugus and Stephen Horlick called the store “another jewel for the town.””People like shopping at Walmart,” Panetta said.Buchanan said the grocery department planned for the new store mirrors interest among Walmart customers nationwide to save money shopping for food at the retail chain’s store. The underground parking planned for the Route 1 store is “unique” among Walmart store designs, Buchanan said.”It’s a great location for us,” he said.Thor Jourgensen can be reached at [email protected].