Walmart is bringing a new Neighborhood Market to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The project is located at 8600 Alabama Highway 69 South, right by the intersection with Patriot Parkway. In July 2024, the city council approved the annexation and rezoning of the 1.86-acre lot, clearing the way for commercial use. Building permits were issued for a $12.6 million store and a $2.6 million fuel station.
Chattanooga-based DBS Corp. is listed as the lead contractor. As of March 2025, the land has been cleared, but construction has not yet started. An official timeline for completion hasn’t been announced.
Location History
Back in 1956, the site was surrounded by open farmland with visible terracing. The land was mostly used for agriculture, with a few scattered trees and dirt paths. There were no major roads running through the area. That changed by 1981 when Highway 69 was constructed, cutting directly through the farmland and giving the site new visibility. Development slowly followed.
Over the years, Patriot Parkway was built, looping past what would become the Walmart site. The surrounding area has since transformed into a retail hub, with businesses like Tractor Supply and fast-food restaurants nearby.
About the Neighborhood Market Format
Walmart Neighborhood Market stores are smaller than Supercenters. They focus on groceries, pharmacy services, and daily essentials. These stores are designed to serve growing suburban areas without the scale of full-sized locations. A similar Walmart project was approved nearby in 2015 but was never built.
This time, the plan is progressing with full permits and site preparation already in place. The development will include over 250 parking spots and a dedicated fuel station. Though the lot remains undeveloped in early 2025, signs point to construction beginning soon.
Last Updated on March 26, 2025 by F. E. Mufute