After two years of studies, Lake County commissioners approved the Bentonville, AR-based retailer's plans for a $20-million, 203,214-sf supercenter in the Citrus Ridge section of the unincorporated Four Corners community which is bordered by Polk, Orange and Lake counties. The US 27 location, 12 miles south of here, is 15 minutes from Walt Disney World.

County officials confirmed Wal-Mart plans to break ground in first quarter 2004 and have the store open by October with a staff of 450. The Wal-Mart store will complement the Town Center project, expected to open at the same time at the 728-acre Cagan Crossings subdivision. The planned 994-unit apartment community at Cagan Crossings plans to add 102 apartments above ground-floor retail, according to officials at Orlando-based Cagan Management Group Inc.

For Wal-Mart, getting the green light in south Lake County culminates another long-fought battle with local government officials and anti-development foes. Earlier this year, a Volusia County Circuit Court judge approved Wal-Mart's plans for a 250,000-sf supercenter in West New Smyrna Beach, FL, as GlobeSt.com previously reported.