Jackson Bell
Since plans for a new terminal on the B-6 property have been
abandoned, the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority will
explore other uses for the site -- the most well-known of which is
the possibility of the big-box retail chain Wal-Mart Inc. purchasing
it and opening a new store.
City Manager Bud Ovrom said Wal-Mart has been pursuing Burbank for
at least five years, looking at every potential local parcel. And
although no formal inquiry has been conducted by the company yet --
not even an application has been submitted -- he said it has
expressed interest in the B-6 property through its real estate
broker.
Although he acknowledged it, Wal-Mart spokesman Peter Kanelos said
the company is weighing a "ton" of factors that apply to establishing
a new location.
"We are considering the site, but we are also considering many
sites," he said. "No decision has been made at the time."
Meanwhile, the Airport Authority owns the parcel and the only
comment spokesperson Victor Gill will make is that it, too, is
examining other options.
Through series of grants, the Airport Authority received $42
million to buy the B-6 property in 1999. Airport officials said they
will probably have to pay back the grant if they sell the property.
Part of it was up for sale in February 2001, but after the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001, it was pulled from the market.
Not until Nov. 8, when plans to build a replacement terminal on
the site dissipated, did the Airport Authority decide to put it back
on the market.
City officials perceive the arrival of another chain-discount
store as a potential asset to the city, despite its competition with
Target, K-Mart and Costco.
"Wal-Mart has a very big and loyal following, and there are not
too many of them in the San Fernando Valley," Ovrom said. "People
would probably travel to it from farther away."
"There will be some net increase in business," he added. "It
wouldn't be robbing Peter to pay Paul."
