Tag: Walmart

Local developers, business leaders and government officials ceremoniously break ground on University Commons

Posted by Ryan Willis – March 7, 2013

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Today, during an event organized by local developers, CHM, LLC, and attended by Knoxville business leaders and government officials, including Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, ground was broken in preparation for the building of University Commons, Knoxville’s first urban, vertical retail complex.

University Commons, a distinctive multi-story urban shopping and dining development located on the former Fulton Bellows site, will cover 12+ acres, with 211,000 square feet of retail space and parking.  Anchored by nationally recognized brands, Walmart and Publix, on property adjacent to the University of Tennessee, 40,000 more square feet will be dedicated to smaller retailers and service providers once the project is completed.

According to Mike McGuffin, a partner with CHM, LLC, the uniquely designed, urban retail complex will fill a grocery and retail void in the downtown and University areas, including providing grocery/supermarket services in what is considered a federally designated “food desert.”

“Residents in downtown and nearby neighborhoods along Alcoa Highway and Kingston Pike will all benefit from the convenience University Commons will provide, as will University of Tennessee students,” said Mayor Rogero. “And the whole city will benefit from the redevelopment of this former industrial property.”

Brian Hooper, vice president of real estate for Walmart, echoed Mayor Rogero’s sentiment.  “We are excited about the opportunity to bring added convenience to the downtown and University of Tennessee area of Knoxville,” said Hooper.

Knoxville & Knox County Officials join CHM partners Budd Cullom, Jim Harrison and Mike McGuffin at groundbreaking for University Commons

McGuffin projects that University Commons will have an approximate economic impact of $226 million on the Knoxville community and create more than 1,500 jobs. “We believe University Commons will be an excellent example on how public and private partnerships can create viable, economically sound projects for a community while enhancing the quality of life for its residents,” said McGuffin.

According to CHM, LLC partner, Jim Harrison, University Commons transforms a once non-productive real estate brownfield into a developmental asset while anchoring several other major public and private development efforts in the area including the Cumberland Avenue Corridor Project.  “Together, University Commons and the Cumberland Avenue Corridor Project will change a semi-suburban area, often used as a pass-through, into a safe and attractive urban district for the community,” said Harrison.

“University Commons and the Cumberland Avenue Corridor Project are great complements to each other,” echoed Budd Cullom, the third member of the Knoxville-based CHM, LLC development team.

According to the developers, Walmart and Publix are slated to open during the summer of 2014.

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Media Contact:
Ryan Willis
rwillis@ackermannpr.com
(865) 584-0550

Local developers announce plans for unique, urban retail development featuring Publix and Walmart

Posted by Ryan Willis – January 4, 2012

Knoxville, Tenn. – Plans are underway for Knoxville’s first urban, vertical retail complex, built over covered parking and featuring two major brands from the grocery and retail industries.  This distinctive multi-story structure will revive the look and feel of a turn of the century factory, adapted for an urban shopping and dining experience for visitors. 

University Commons will cover 12+ acres, with 211,000 square feet of retail space and parking.

Both Walmart and Publix have made commitments to be a part of this project planned for the former Fulton Bellows site, adjacent to the University of Tennessee.  In addition to both Walmart and Publix, more than 40,000 square feet will be dedicated to smaller retailers and service providers. 

The retail complex will fill a grocery and retail void in the downtown area, including providing grocery/supermarket services in a federally designated “food desert.” A food desert is considered a low-income census tract (LICT) where a substantial number of residents have low access to a supermarket or large grocery store.

“With the commitment from Publix, we will provide a grocery and supermarket service not currently available and one that is much needed in this area,” said Mike McGuffin, a partner with CHM, LLC.  “Downtown residents, students on campus, residents from Alcoa Highway and other local neighborhoods, will all greatly benefit from the convenience University Commons will provide.” 

The University Commons project will have an approximate economic impact of $226 million on the Knoxville community and create more than 1,700 jobs.  “We’ll be able to provide job opportunities to low-income residents in this area, making it easier for them to get to and from work each day,” added McGuffin. 

With the current property classified as a brownfield site, the development of University Commons will return a non-productive real estate asset to productive use, while anchoring several other major public and private development efforts in the area.  “This project along with the Cumberland Avenue Corridor Project will be great complements to each other,” said Jim Harrison, a partner with CHM, LLC.  “Together, these projects will make this semi-suburban area that is often used as a pass-through into a safe and attractive urban district for the community.” 

There are many hurdles involved in redeveloping this site, including securing the funding necessary to successfully complete the project.  “Because the current site is a brownfield, we will acquire some substantial expenses required to properly clean up the site, along with construction costs necessary to build this unique, vertical complex,” said Harrison. “We will be seeking funding for the project through real estate and sales tax TIFs and through the New Markets Tax Credit Program.” 

“University Commons will absolutely not happen unless we are able to secure the necessary funding through the TIFS and the NMTC.” 

The project is being developed by CHM, LLC, a Knoxville-based development team.  Members of the team include Budd Cullom, Jim Harrison and Mike McGuffin. 

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Lower Price Music Packages Praised by Top Distributor

Posted by Ryan Willis – March 18, 2010

Knoxville, Tenn. – The CEO of one of America’s largest music distribution companies said today that packaging music for consumers priced at $10 or less is a key  part of the industry’s future.

“Last week, Warner recording artist Blake Shelton, came out with a “six pack”, (six songs sold for $6 in Walmart), and now Universal Music Group is endorsing the same concept by offering a wide range of music for under $10.” said Charlie Anderson, CEO of Anderson Merchandisers.  “I applaud them.  We all know this is where the music industry must head.”

Anderson Merchandisers, headquartered in Amarillo, TX, distributes music to all Walmart stores in the U.S. and Canada, as well as to AAFES, the on-base stores for military bases.  No other American firm distributes more albums than Anderson.

“The change from vinyl albums to tapes to CD’s basically left the same album format in place,” said Anderson.  “The one song digital download has changed all that.  We need to keep pace with our consumers who are seeking more flexibility and value, both digitally and on disc.”

“What we all need to realize is that building a system that is more responsive to what consumers want is in everybody’s best interest.  No matter what the delivery system, it is still real talent that makes music sell.”

Anderson Merchandisers, L.P. is one of the nation’s largest distributors of pre-recorded music, movies, and books.

A privately held company, Anderson Merchandisers, L.P. is an affiliate of Anderson Media, headquartered in Knoxville, TN which was established in 1917.  The company has more than 4,000 associates across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

Media Contact:
Mike Cohen
(865) 584-0550
mcohen@ackermannpr.com

Giving Back to Fight Local Hunger

Posted by Ryan Willis – March 15, 2010

Knoxville, Tenn. – Walmart is known for ‘every day low prices’ on thousands of items to cut costs for Americans, and its associates are hoping that those low prices will draw people to donate peanut butter and make their very first food drive for Second Harvest a great success. 

From noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 20th, Walmart associates in Sevierville and Knoxville will volunteer their time hosting a food drive to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. 

Volunteers will be outside each Walmart store to collect peanut butter for Second Harvest. Food items for donation do not have to be purchased at Walmart. Donors may even drive up and hand-off their donation to volunteers who will place it in the food drive barrels. Walmart customers are encouraged to come out in support and donate nutritious peanut butter. 

“The goal is to gather as much peanut butter as possible, no matter where it comes from,” says Jonathan Harness, a volunteer and Walmart employee. “Many children in our community are going to be hungry tonight.  That circumstance is unbearable to us. Walmart associates are thrilled to volunteer and help turn that situation around by partnering with Second Harvest.” 

“The demand for food is continuing to grow in East Tennessee and the situation is so dire for so many all across the country. It’s exciting to see a group of volunteers come together and organize something like this. They are really showing compassion for the hungry in this region,” said Elaine Streno, Executive Director of Second Harvest. 

*Please note that this is not a Walmart Corporation sanctioned event. 

If you are interested in supporting Second Harvest or are interested in setting up an interview with a Second Harvest representative, please call Elaine Streno at 865-850-4284.  

For more info visit: www.secondharvestknox.org. 

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Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, a member of Feeding America, has worked to eliminate hunger since 1982.  In 2009, this organization provided food for more than 9.7 million meals in 18 counties in East Tennessee.  With 6 major programs and over 500 non-profit partners, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee distributes food to more than 155,000 kids, adults and seniors each month.  The service area includes Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne , Cocke, Cumberland, Fentress, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier and Union Counties.

Media Contact:
Mike Cohen
(865) 584-0550
mcohen@ackermannpr.com

Walmart Donates $85,000 Refrigerator Food Truck to Second Harvest East Tennessee

Posted by Ryan Willis – November 6, 2009

Knoxville, Tenn. – As Walmart and the Walmart Foundation continueLogo “Walmart Gives Back,” a holiday giving initiative that will provide $32 million in monetary and in-kind donations to charitable organizations across the U.S., a refrigerator truck donated by the Walmart Foundation will arrive at Second Harvest East Tennessee today to help feed Knoxville families in need. The truck is one of 35 that departed from Madison, Wis., earlier this month headed to Feeding America food banks in local communities across the country. 

In addition to the donated truck, Walmart presented Second Harvest East Tennessee with a $40,000 donation from the company’s state giving program, to help feed families in need this fall. 

Valued at $85,000, the new truck and 12 pallets of Great Value-branded products and fresh apples will arrive in Knoxville in time for Thanksgiving. Feeding America estimates the new trucks will help Second Harvest East Tennessee and 34 additional food banks to transport up 52.5 million pounds of food, the equivalent to 41 million additional meals, per year. 

“In this economy, families and seniors across the country who rely on food banks have been hit especially hard,” said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation. “As Walmart stores continue to be the price leader on groceries, our partnership with Feeding America is helping us do our part to put more food on the dinner table. Our business and our charitable giving are united in the commitment to eradicate hunger in America.” 

“We are so excited to celebrate Walmart’s generosity today, as it continues to help those in need throughout our community,” said Elaine Streno, executive director or Second Harvest East Tennessee. “Walmart has been a strong community partner, and has supported our organization with food donations, monetary donations, and now with the donation of a refrigerator truck, which will enable us to bring fresh, healthy food to those who desperately need it.” 

Walmart’s donated food trucks are in response to a call from food banks that were unable to safely transport nutritious produce, deli meat, beef, chicken, dairy and other groceries. Since last November, Walmart stores and Sam’s Club locations have donated more than 90 million pounds of food – the equivalent of 70 million meals – to Feeding America food banks, exceeding the company’s goal and making Walmart Feeding America’s largest food donor. 

As in years past, the majority of Walmart’s holiday giving will happen at the local level with more than $24 million donated from the Walmart Foundation to nonprofits in the communities where Walmart’s 4,000 stores and clubs are located. In addition, the Walmart Foundation will, once again, donate $1.25 million to The Salvation Army, and Red Kettles will raise funds at Walmart stores and Sam’s Club locations nationwide from Friday, Nov. 27, through Thursday, Dec. 24. 

Later this holiday season, Walmart will announce additional recipients of its Walmart Gives Back holiday giving. For more information, visit www.walmartgiving.com.

About Philanthropy at Walmart 

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, work force development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From February 1, 2008, through January 31, 2009, Walmart – and its domestic and international foundations – gave more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org. 

About Second Harvest East Tennessee

Second Harvest East Tennessee distributes food to roughly 140,000 hungry people every month through a network of Partner Agencies throughout East Tennessee. Agencies are nonprofit organizations dedicated to feeding the hungry and include church pantries, shelters, group homes, local kitchens, after-school program sites, rehabilitation centers and many others.

Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee is part of a national network of foodbanks called Feeding America. Feeding America members cover every county in America. Second Harvest of East Tennessee serves 18 counties in East Tennessee, delivering food as far west as Crossville and as far east as Gatlinburg.


Media Contact
Ryan Willis
(865) 584-0550
rwillis@ackermannpr.com