Ringling Plaza Walmart scheduled for planning board vote

A proposed Walmart Supercenter at Ringling Shopping Center will appear before the city’s Planning Board on Nov. 14 for a vote.

The proposed 97,779-square-foot store is less than half the size of its typical supercenters, including the Walmart in South Sarasota.

As part of the preliminary application process, Wal-Mart Stores moved the store closer to Ringling Avenue, thus moving the building away from the south property line, where several homes would abut the new store, said Courtney Mendez, senior planner with the city of Sarasota. Employee parking was moved to behind the store, also.

On Nov. 14 the Planning Board will vote on the project’s completed application. The Planning Board has final approval.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has plans to demolish the existing plaza and build the store in its place, if the Sarasota City Commission approves the project. The Ringling Shopping Center lost its anchor tenant in October 2011 when Publix Super Markets Inc. closed as the plaza’s anchor tenant to make way for its new Publix at 2031 Bay Street.

The store would include general merchandise, a pharmacy, deli, produce and groceries.