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Vestavia council OKs up to $3 million tax rebate for new Walmart in Cahaba Heights. June 15, 2026 10:29 PM The Vestavia Hills City Council meets at Vestavia Hills City Hall on Monday, June 15, 2026. The Vestavia Hills City Council on Monday night unanimously approved up to $3 million in tax rebates for a proposed Walmart Neighborhood Market slated to go on the site of the former Winn-Dixie grocery store in Cahaba Heights. Walmart has a contract to buy the property at 3925 Crosshaven Drive and is proposing to tear down the current building and put a 45,000-square-foot Walmart Neighborhood Market in its place, but there are certain costs involved that might push Walmart to choose another site outside the city, City Manager Jeff Downes said. Walmart deems the former Winn-Dixie building as being obsolete for its purposes and would have to tear down the current building and restructure the underground infrastructure, so there is a $3 million "feasibility gap," Downes said. "They could go somewhere else, or they could consider in a positive economic fashion this site in Cahaba Heights," he said. If the city were to cover that "feasibility gap," it could bring a new grocery store to the city and keep those tax dollars in the city, he said. Sales taxes are the No. 1 source of revenue to support city government, and grocery stores are the No. 1 taxpayers of sales taxes, he said. Instead of providing $3 million upfront, the city prefers to provide the incentive money on the back end as a rebate of tax dollars actually received, Downes said. That guarantees that any incentive payment is a direct result of the success of the store and not a gamble that the store will succeed, he said. The agreement approved by the City Council on Monday night was to provide Walmart a sales tax rebate of up to 46.875% of actual sales taxes paid over 10 years, not to exceed a total of $3 million. The new Walmart Neighborhood Market is expected to generate about $25 million in annual sales, which would provide the city with $11.1 million in sales tax revenue over 10 years. After the $3 million rebate is applied, which is projected to happen over 4[1/2] years, the city would have a net gain of $8.1 million over 10 years, Downes said. In addition to the new tax revenue, it also provides a quality-of-life amenity for residents in that community, which is super important, he said. Councilman Rusty Weaver said most of the comments he has heard from the community about the incentive package have been positive, but some people expressed concerns about the amount of the incentive. Weaver said trying to judge a project like this based on the amount of the tax rebate alone is a "fool's errand" because there are so many other factors to consider. The "feasibility gap" is what drives the amount, he said. But you also have to consider what the city gets if the site remains vacant as it has been for more than a year, and that is zero tax dollars, he said. Also, Walmart plans to invest at least $20 million into the property in land acquisition, demolition, construction and related site improvements to make the site operational as a Walmart Neighborhood Market, city records show. The city will gain construction-related sales taxes and building permit fees, Weaver said. "All of these things create a huge benefit to the city that, when taken in the context of the amount of the tax rebate, makes total economic sense," Weaver said. "That's the bottom line for every one of these analyses that we do is - does it make economic sense?" Other people have claimed the city is setting a precedent by giving Walmart $3 million, but that's not true either, Weaver said. "Every single one of these requests is taken independently and has to stand on its own," he said. "Whatever's happened before and happens in the future has nothing to do with each individual request." Vestavia Hills Mayor Ashley Curry said the Walmart Neighborhood Market on U.S. 31 in Vestavia Hills has been an outstanding investment for the city. "If the one in Cahaba Heights can replicate what the one down the street did, we'll be OK," he said. Councilwoman Kimberly Cook said one of the major benefits of this deal is that the city is getting rid of an older building and replacing it with something new and that fits with the improvements the city has already made on Crosshaven Drive in the Cahaba Heights business district in the form of new sidewalks, wider roads and improved traffic flow. The Walmart Neighborhood Market will come with a new building and new landscaping, she said. "It will be beautiful, so I'm very excited to present this to the community," she said. Donald Harwell, a resident in the city, said he's not at all against the economic incentive package, but he thinks the $3 million should be going to the people who will be shopping at the Walmart, not the company. He would prefer to see the city waive the city's 4% sales taxes for the first three years the store is in operation so the shoppers benefit, he said. "Let them have the rebate, not Walmart," Harwell said. Walmart is expecting to get $25 million in annual revenue from this store. "They're making money out of this deal, and they're a trillion-dollar corporation... I don't know why we're giving Walmart $3 million." In other business Monday night, the Vestavia Hills City Council voted unanimously to: * Rezone 3.8 acres at 3034 Green Valley Road in Cahaba Heights between Green Valley Road and Sunview Drive to accommodate 19 detached single-family homes instead of the current nine existing lots. Read more about that project here. * Allow a drop-off donation center for the Vapor Ministries thrift stores at 3253 Cahaba Heights Road. This would be a drop-off center only with no sales taking place there, and there would be no outdoor storage or donation bins, the nonprofit said. * Allow a Scenthound dog bathing and grooming business in a shopping center at 3155 Green Valley Road. There will be no boarding or veterinary services offered. * Extended a cable TV franchise agreement for Spectrum Southeast to continue doing business in Vestavia Hills for another 10 years, adding in a $50,000 performance bond for any damages caused by the company and not resolved in a reasonable amount of time * Authorized the mayor and city manager to execute agreements to secure manufacturer incentives that will come with the purchase of $1.7 million worth of Motorola police and fire radios that will replace the 2017 models currently being used * Approved a license to sell alcoholic beverages for Hilltop Liquor at 790 Montgomery Highway, Suite 100 * Extended the deadline for demolition of an unsafe structure at 2750 Smyer Road until Oct. 13 to give more time to properly dispose of asbestos Downes also gave the council and public an update on the upcoming renovation of Vestavia Hills Fire Station No. 4 in Liberty Park. The city will seek bids on that project later this week and hopes to begin construction in late September, he said. The city also has bids due in about two weeks for 30,000 cubic yards of dirt needed for sitework for expansion of city facilities at the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex, Downes said. Another big project almost complete is the installation of the heater for the competition pool at Wald Park, he said. A final walkthrough is scheduled for Wednesday, and the pool heater will be ready for operation when it's needed later this fall, he said. Editor's note: This story was updated at 4:36 p.m. on June 16 to correct a direct quote from Councilman Rusty Weaver. Weaver said that trying to judge a project like the Walmart Neighborhood Market economic development agreement based on the amount of the tax rebate alone is a "fool's errand" because there are so many other factors to consider.

June 2026 newsletter. | Please note the Pantry will be CLOSED on Saturday, July 4th. | | June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month! | | Check out a typical produce run on one of its recent Distribution days. Dulles South Food Pantry love seeing it full of many different varieties and colors of fruits and vegetables! | | Fresh produce provides many of the vitamins, minerals, and fiber that are essential to its health. That's why at the Pantry Dulles South Food Pantry is committed to distributing fresh food to its neighbors facing hunger and food insecurity. Its guests are so grateful to be able to prepare a meal with fresh herbs, to put a bowl of salad greens on the table, to enjoy a side of fresh green beans or broccoli, or to snack on fresh apples and oranges. | / | | As part of its commitment, Dulles South Food Pantry partner with many local grocery stores, including Target, Walmart, Wegmans, Harris Teeter (East Gate, Brambleton, Broadlands), and Aldi to receive their surplus produce donations. | / | | Dulles South Food Pantry is also thankful for local farm partners who support its mission. Dulles South Food Pantry pick up produce grown right here in Loudoun County at the Produce Hub which is supported by two "donation only" farms (The JK Community Farm and PEC's Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows). Additionally, Dulles South Food Pantry receive produce from Willowsford Farm, A Farm Less Ordinary, and other local growers. Check out their websites for more volunteer opportunities! | | You can also help Dulles South Food Pantry make healthy, fresh food accessible to everyone! If you garden, consider planting extra veggies and herbs for the Pantry. Donate them within hours of harvesting, and they may be eaten by Pantry guests for dinner that night! Purchase extra fruit and veggies the next time you're at the grocery store or farmer's market and drop them off at the Pantry during its donation hours! Donations are accepted at the Pantry: Monday, Wednesday & Saturday: 10:00am - 11:30am | | CURRENT EVENTS AND LATEST UPDATES | | / | A huge thank you goes to all of its donors, drivers, and volunteers for supporting its June ASG event. Dulles South Food Pantry collected 7,635 lbs of pantry staples! If you're not currently registered, sign up by July 22nd to participate in the Aug 8th pickup! For information about this convenient, door-to-door donation program, visit its website here. | | / | Dulles South Food Pantry were honored to attend the 100WomenStrong awards reception to receive a $17,300 grant, which will help fund its new Operations Assistant position. It is so inspiring to see its community come together and support the missions of local nonprofits. Thank you, 100WomenStrong of Loudoun County! | | / | If you are interested in ordering a DSFP t-shirt, please fill out the Google Form link by Wednesday, June 17th at 11:59 PM. Dulles South Food Pantry look forward to seeing more of its volunteers decked out in DSFP gear! | | / | Dulles South Food Pantry is grateful to recognize all of its Platinum Supporters who have donated over $10,000 in monetary or food value to the Pantry. See the complete list of its Platinum Supporters here! If you are interested in becoming a Platinum Supporter, please contact Dulles South Food Pantry at [email protected]. | | UPCOMING EVENTS | | The Loudoun Empty Bowls annual fundraising gala will be at Stone Tower Winery on Thursday, September 17th, 2026. Only 24 tickets left! Get yours today and enjoy dinner, dessert, and live music while making a meaningful difference for its neighbors experiencing food insecurity. | / | | WHAT WE NEED MOST | | * Crunchy Peanut Butter * Canned Fruit * Mixed Vegetables * Sardines * Adult Cereal | | Got Bags? Dulles South Food Pantry Need Them! | | Dulles South Food Pantry need your extra paper, plastic, or reusable grocery bags for its Food Distributions. Please donate clean, flattened bags at the Pantry during its regular donation hours. | | Shop to Make a Difference! | | Check out its Target, Amazon, and Walmart wishlists, which make it easy to shop, give, and ship directly to the Pantry! You can conveniently ship directly to Dulles South Food Pantry at: Dulles South Food Pantry 24757 Arcola Mills Dr Dulles, VA 20166 | / | | GUEST GRATITUDE | | "Your kindness and dedication make a meaningful difference for my family and many others." ~ recent Pantry guest | / | | IMPACT REPORT | | However you give, whether it is time, money, or food, you make a difference in the lives of its guests. Thank you for your contributions last month! | | May Pantry Stats | | 2,235 Neighbors Served | / | | 59,703 Meals Distributed | / | | 1,293 Volunteer Hours Served | | 1,029 Backpack Buddies Bags Delivered | / | | 23 Schools Supported | | May Food Drive Report | | 3,775 lbs of food collected A big thank you goes to the following groups for their food drive efforts! | | Arcola United Methodist Church Arcola Volunteer Fire Department Best Runners USA Birchwood at Brambleton Singles Social Club Brambleton Middle School Capital One Software Community Baptist Church Corpus Christi Catholic Church Goshen Post Elementary School Immanuel Mar Thoma Church (IMTC) LDS Church - Tall Cedars Ward Madison's Trust Elementary School 2nd Grade Vine and Branches Lutheran Church | | WAYS YOU CAN HELP | | Looking for other ways you can help? Consider the following: | | Did you know that Dulles South Food Pantry provide toiletries to its guests? Now that school's out for the summer, consider hosting a Toiletry Kit Donation and Packing Party as a fun activity and get your kids, their friends, or your neighbors involved. Toiletry items can include travel-size shampoo, conditioner, soap/body wash, lotion, shower cap, floss, and toothpaste. Add an assortment of toiletries to individual baggies and deliver them to the Pantry during regular donation hours! | | AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD | | From individuals, families, and kids, to service groups, faith supporters, and local businesses, its generous community exemplifies its mission: #NeighborsFeedingNeighbors. | | For the past few years the second graders at Madison's Trust Elementary (The Mighty Macaws!) have held an Economics Fair in support of the Pantry. The kids made items to sell (at a cost of $1 or an item of food) and collected $525 and 266 lbs of food for Dulles South Food Pantry! Dulles South Food Pantry is so grateful and proud of these creative students and teachers at Madison's Trust! | / | | Dulles South Food Pantry were excited to welcome several college students home for the summer for a fun night at Distribution, where they joined returning volunteers to serve and make a difference in its community. Learn more about becoming a volunteer here! | / | | Hours & Locations | | Food Distributions at the Pantry Tuesdays & Wednesdays By Appointment Only Phone: 703-507-2795 ext. 1 Email: [email protected] Food Donations at the Pantry Monday, Wednesday & Saturday 10:00am - 11:30am No Appointment Needed Community Donation Locations Brambleton Association Broadlands Association Dulles South Recreation & Community Center South Riding Giant South Riding Town Hall Stone Ridge Association | Calendar | | July 4 - Pantry Closed July 8 - Volunteer Orientation July 22 - A Simple Gesture August Signup Deadline July 25 - Board of Directors Meeting (Email Dulles South Food Pantry at [email protected] to submit public comments) Aug 8 - A Simple Gesture Pickup Sept 17 - Loudoun Empty Bowls Event Sept 18 & 19 - BENEFIT Crossroads Music Festival | | *{{Organization Name}}* *{{Organization Address}}* *{{Organization Phone}}* *{{Organization Website}}* | / | | You are being sent this email because you are a subscriber. 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