Page "Criticism of Walmart" Paragraph 9

In 2005, developers tore down the long-closed Dixmont State Hospital in Kilbuck Township, Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh, with plans to build a shopping complex anchored by a Walmart on the site.

While there were initially no general objections to Walmart itself, many residents didn't want to see Dixmont torn down, despite the fact that the Dixmont complex — having been abandoned in 1984 — was beyond maintainable condition and teenagers were dangerously trespassing onto the property on a regular basis.

However, while the land was being excavated after the complex was torn down in order to create a plateau for the Walmart to sit on, a landslide covered Pennsylvania Route 65 and the railroad tracks in between PA 65 and the Ohio River, shutting down both routes for weeks.

While Walmart did " stabilize " the landslide, many residents argued that Walmart merely stabilized the hillside so that it could continue with work to build the store.

Ultimately, in 2007 Walmart decided against developing the site, allowing the land to return to nature.

PA 65 remains restricted to one lane northbound near the site for safety concerns, though the entire roadway has since been cleared of debris.

Despite this, Walmart is the largest retail chain in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, and is the second-largest grocery store to locally based Giant Eagle.