Folks living in Gregg's Landing are hoping that Wal-Mart will drop plans to build a "supercenter" on vacant land along Milwaukee Avenue, north of Gregg's Landing.

"Although no news is good news, we can't rest on our laurels," said Gregg's Landing resident David Oppenheim, who mobilized opposition to the project.

A year ago, representatives of Bradford Real Estate, the Chicago developer, proposed a 210,000-square foot Wal-Mart Super Store and an AutoNation Toyoto dealership for the prime commercial land north of Westfield's Hawthorn Center.

Vernon Hills Manager Mike Allison said "all discussions about Wal-Mart locating to this property have ceased although no formal announcement has been issued by Bradford Real Estate stating that the project has been terminated."

Repeated calls seeking comment from Bradford were not returned.

Wal-Mart's corporate spokesman John Bisio said they were unaware of the project status.

"We can't say definitely one way or the other as we can't get ahold of the people (in Illinois) who are quarterbacking the project," Bisio said Tuesday.

Allison said village officials were taken by surprise when the Bradford Group announced Wal-Mart's interest. They expected the developer to bring in smaller, higher-end retail in a pedestrian-friendly setting.

Village Board members strongly suggested that Wal-Mart should focus their energies on revamping its current store located on Route 60 rather than pushing for a big-box super store on Milwaukee Avenue.

"I'm very disappointed that this is the best that the Bradford Development Group can do. This is two giant steps backward. There are better developments than a Wal-Mart Super Center. This is not what I envisioned for the property," said Trustee Thom Koch Jr.

Last October, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. up-dated its growth plans. The corporation noted a slight decrease in spending for fiscal year 2008 of $15 billion from $15.7 billion in 2007. New store growth remained part of the Wal-Mart U.S. strategy with more emphasis placed on relocating and expanding existing discount stores to SuperCenters during the same time periods.

Wal-Mart said supercenters have a higher rate of return than any other format in the United States.

"As part of this effort, the company will focus on expansions and relocations of existing discount stores to supercenters, which will result in building fewer new stores" said Eduardo Castro-Wright, Wal-Mart Stores U.S. president and chief executive officer.

There are nearly 1,000 Vernon Hills residents opposed to having a Wal-Mart Supercenter located in the Milwaukee Ave. commercial area backing up to their homes.

Oppenheim, a pediatrician who resides in the Pointe neighborhood, created the Web site www.stopgreggswalmart.com as a means of informing residents on the status of the proposal. He said Wal-Mart opponents in Gregg's Landing include residents of 445 homes -- or close to 900 voting individuals.

Allison noted very little land remains available for commercial development other than the 50 acres north of Gregg's Parkway, and the land along the northeast corner of Route 60 and Milwaukee Avenue.

"We have in total about 135 acres still available for some type of commercial development. There are other retail areas we think are large enough to accommodate them," he said.