Now there's concern that move could jeopardize the proposed "Parkdale Plaza" Wal-Mart set for groundbreaking sometime this spring. 

Since back in December a Wal-Mart spokesperson said that the Parkdale deal would go through as soon as a deal on a south side location could be sealed.

But now that hasn't happened and now there's concern.  "I have a lot of concern about that", says Mayor Henry Garrett. Adding he was totally shocked when he heard the news of the sale but remains optimistic the giant retailer wont pull out.

"It's unfortunate about what happened at Staples and Timbergate. As for Wal-Mart we're still open to come back to the table and help them with any other south side location they might have in mind. But lets please move forward with the Parkdale Plaza Wal-Mart."

 As far as the mayor's concerned he says Wal-Mart never indicated that the Parkdale site was dependent on whether a south side location was secured. But he is waiting to hear from Wal-Mart soon.

 "They did tell me they were gonna come in and talk to us later and I intend to pursue that to see if we can you know get a commitment one way or the other and see if they have another southside location in mind and work with them on it."

In the meantime council member Melody Cooper says with all the controversy over the proposed south side Timbergate Walmart location, residents are still in the dark. Cooper adds, "the neighbors are very concerned about Walmart but who's buying this property now? because we've not been briefed at all."

3 News called a Walmart spokesperson for a comment on these latest developments but we have yet to receive one.

 We do however know that the land that has been purchased by an as-of-yet unidentified buyer, will be mixed use including a shopping center, apartments and single homes. The land was zoned for that type of development.