NORTH HYDE PARK - The city council is scheduled to vote Thursday on whether to allow alcohol sales at the proposed Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market at 1610 W. Kennedy Blvd.

There were no objections when the council gave its preliminary approval Feb. 21.

"It's nothing we are in opposition to," said Robert Allen, president of the North Hyde Park Civic Association.

Councilman John Dingfelder and an aide to Councilman Tom Scott said they haven't had any complaints about the wet zoning request from nearby residents or churches. The councilmen represent the area. Police have not objected to the alcohol sales.

A boarded-up SaveRite store that closed in August 2005 occupies the 4.7-acre parcel between North Rome and North Oregon avenues. Wal-Mart wants to use 27,000 square feet of the 60,000-square-foot building for liquor sales. Beer and wine would be sold in the grocery section.

The SaveRite used a similar configuration, with a separate entrance for the liquor store.

Wal-Mart began opening its smaller Neighborhood Market stores 10 years ago. The stores sell groceries, pharmaceuticals and general merchandise, without the clothing, electronics and other retail items offered at the company's larger Supercenters.

"It's intended to be an easy place to get in and out of," Wal-Mart spokeswoman Quenta Vettel said.

Wal-Mart has 19 Neighborhood Market stores in Florida, compared with 158 Supercenters, which average 185,000 square feet, according to its Web site.

The company is building a 146,000-square-foot Supercenter at Gandy Boulevard and Lois Avenue in Sun Bay South.

The Kennedy store would provide downtown residents and workers with an alternative to the Publix at 243 Bayshore Blvd.

Wal-Mart has a 15-year lease on the Kennedy property, which is owned by a California company. The store will probably open in early 2009.

The council will meet at 9 a.m. at city hall, 315 E. Kennedy Blvd.

Reporter Mark Holan can be reached at (813) 835-2102 or mholan@tampatrib.com.