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Developer unveils Walmart‑anchored plan for Diamond Run Mall, says Act 250 permitting next
Summary
Property owner Joe Anthony presented renderings of a mixed‑use redevelopment of Diamond Run Mall anchored by a signed Walmart supercenter, and said the project will pursue a multi‑agency Act 250 permitting process with a two‑year permitting estimate followed by about a year of construction.
Joe Anthony, the property owner proposing to redevelop Diamond Run Mall, told the Rutland Town Select Board on Sept. 24 that Walmart has signed as the anchor tenant for a new, roughly 70,000‑square‑foot Walmart Supercenter and that the broader site would be redeveloped as a mixed‑use center.
Anthony introduced his development team — including David Grama/Gray and Andy Rodriguez of MSK Engineering — and showed renderings of the proposed site. He said Walmart’s corporate approvals are complete at the highest level and that the company plans to offer a full‑service supercenter with pharmacy, expanded grocery selections and online pickup. “They are fully approved at the highest level,” Anthony said in describing Walmart’s commitment to the project.
On jobs and timing, Anthony estimated a roughly 24‑month permitting period under Vermont’s Act 250 process and said construction would likely take about 12 months, depending on weather. He described construction‑phase jobs as substantial and estimated the store would employ “at least 350” people and that the broader center could support as many as about 1,000 positions; those figures were presented as developer estimates rather than certified counts.
Several board members questioned the developer about impacts and next steps. Town officials and the developer discussed Act 250 requirements, stormwater and wetlands reviews, and regional planning participation. Project team members said they will work with the Rutland Town Planning Commission, the Rutland Regional Planning Commission and state agencies, and they described the Act 250 filing as likely a “permanent amendment” to the site’s existing permit because the site has prior Act 250 history.
Board members raised public‑safety and municipal service issues, including security at the site and the historical arrangement (previously a sheriff’s office presence at the mall). Police and staff noted that the select board — as a statutory party in Act 250 — will weigh in if the project creates an undue burden on town services, and the board discussed requiring adequate loss‑prevention and camera systems as part of its review.
Anthony said he plans to return with more detailed materials and that the team is prepared to hold community open houses and meet with the planning commission and statutory parties as the permitting process proceeds. The developer emphasized reuse of on‑site materials where feasible, local contracting for site work, and an intention to minimize additional tree clearing by building within the existing paved footprint where possible.
The board made no formal decision on the project at the meeting; the developers will proceed with consultations and a planned Act 250 amendment process.
