When Bloomington residents protested plans for a proposed SuperTarget at 5501 Old Shakopee Road this year, many said they preferred the warehouse that was already there to a busy store.
They're getting their wish, just in time for the holidays.
Target spokesperson Amy Spencer confirmed this week that beginning early in 2009, the firm plans to operate a distribution center in the old Holiday warehouse on the site. The center would handle nonretail items that are needed to operate stores, such as signs, fixtures and cleaning supplies.
Target has notified Bloomington officials of its intentions. Minimal remodeling will be needed to operate the warehouse, and the parking lot may need to be restriped, Spencer said.
Target owns the Bloomington property and will close a leased Shakopee facility that now houses signs and other materials. She said all jobs from Shakopee will move to the Bloomington location.
Target had wanted to put a SuperTarget on the site at the intersection of Old Shakopee and Normandale Boulevard. Neighbors fought the plan for a year, saying the traffic would be a nightmare at a crossing that's already jammed at rush hour. Target withdrew the store plans during a City Council meeting in October after it became clear that council members were not going to support it.
Spencer would not comment on the possibility that Target could resurrect plans for a store at some time in the future.
"At this time, we are focused on operating a distribution center at this location, but we are always evaluating our property for the best possible use," she said.
