MERRILL - The city of Merrill got past its last administrative roadblock to building a new Walmart.

The City Council approved a development agreement with Walmart.

It includes plans for driveways, streets, sidewalks, and sewers.

Merrill will also reimburse Walmart $400,000 for rebuilding the Highway 64-Pine Ridge Avenue intersection near the store site.

City Administrator Dave Johnson told us the next step is putting shovels in the ground.

That's planned for next spring.