SOUTH CAROLINA SITE FIGHT: CONSTRUCTION STARTS ON DISPUTED WAL-MART SITE
Construction starts on Wal-Mart [Rock Hill (S.C.) Herald]
TEGA CAY—Tega Cay’s Wal-Mart is showing signs of life.
Construction crews have graded the site for the retail giant, and the concrete outer walls are taking shape.After three years of controversy, a Wal-Mart near the intersection of S.C. 160 and Dam Road is becoming a reality.
Read the rest of this story ...
Posted by Beth Gostanian on Friday, June 22 | 0 comments | Permalink
NEW JERSEY SITE FIGHT: TRAFFIC TROUBLES
Wal-Mart traffic plan worries Lawrence residents [The Times of Trenton (N.J.)]
LAWRENCE—Visions of an increasingly congested Spruce Street due to a proposed Wal-Mart dominated residents’ concerns at this week’s planning board meeting.
The 143,000-square-foot site Wal-Mart has chosen for construction is near North Olden Avenue and Halo Farm and the Trenton Farmer’s Market, and adjacent to several residential developments. Spruce Street has four lanes, which under Wal-Mart’s plan would be reduced to two in order to make for smoother traffic flow, according to engineer and planner Raymond DiPasquale.
Read the rest of this story ...
Posted by Beth Gostanian on Thursday, June 21 | 0 comments | Permalink
MARYLAND SITE FIGHT: STORE EXPANSION BRINGS CONCERN
Concerns raised over Wal-Mart store expansion [Maryland Gazette]
Wal-Mart wants to expand its store in Laurel by more than a third, a move that has Russett residents concerned the retailer will complicate traffic patterns.
Residents say they have expected the store to grow in size, but since it opened in 1994, nearby roads have become busier than ever.
Wal-Mart wants to add another 40,000 square feet to its 115,000 square-foot-store, improve the facade, lighting and store interior, said Rhoda Washington, a spokesman for the Arkansas-based retailer.
Read the rest of this story ...
Posted by Beth Gostanian on Wednesday, June 20 | 0 comments | Permalink
City ‘big-box’ law requires more work [(Va.) News and Advance]
City ‘big-box’ law requires more work [(Va.) News and Advance]
Lynchburg City Council members will do more research before deciding whether to create new rules for developers wanting to build large retail stores.
In March, the city’s planning commission recommended requiring developers building retail stores larger than 50,000 square feet to get a permit from council.
Requiring a permit would mean council could study the stores’ plans on a case-by-case basis, and citizens could voice their thoughts at public hearings
Read the rest of this story ...
Posted by Beth Gostanian on Wednesday, June 13 | 0 comments | Permalink
Community Impact Assessment Legislation Nears Passage in Maine
Last week, the Maine House of Representatives passed LD 1810, the Informed Growth Act, by a vote of 82-49. This legislation would highlight the true costs of big box development and provide communities with the tools and information to create and sustain vibrant, just, and sustainable local economies.
The legislation has been championed by the Maine Fair Trade Campaign, with the goal of providing cities and towns better tools with which to evaluate the full range of benefits and costs associated with large-scale retail development. It would allow retail development decisions to be made using objective information on how the development would impact things such as existing small business, employment and the cost of public services.
The Maine Senate is expected to vote on the legislation this week.
Read the rest of this story ...
Posted by Corey Himrod on Monday, June 11 | 10 comments | Permalink
MARYLAND SITE FIGHT: RESIDENTS RAISE CONCERNS
Wal-Mart expansion creates traffic concerns [The Capital (Md.)]
Wal-Mart wants to expand its store in Laurel by more than a third, a move that has Russett residents concerned the retailer will complicate traffic patterns.
Residents say they have expected the store to grow in size, but since it opened in 1994, nearby roads have become busier than ever before.Wal-Mart wants to add another 40,000 square feet to its 115,000 square-foot-store, improve the facade, lighting and store interior, said Rhoda Washington, a spokesman for the Arkansas-based retailer.
Read the rest of this story ...
Posted by Beth Gostanian on Monday, June 11 | 0 comments | Permalink
SOUTH CAROLINA SITE FIGHT: RILED RESIDENTS
Incoming Wal-Mart Supercenter riles residents [Myrtle Beach Sun-News]
A Wal-Mart Supercenter at the Garden City Beach Connector and U.S. 17 Business plans to open in fall 2008, company officials said Wednesday, and the project is already facing some opposition from residents.
The company submitted plans to the Horry County planning department in April. Those plans didn’t ask for variances, which could require the OK from a county board, so the project only needs the county’s staff approval. That process could take several months, according to county planners.
Read the rest of this story ...
Posted by Beth Gostanian on Thursday, June 07 | 0 comments | Permalink
NEW JERSEY SITE FIGHT: MAYOR AND SLATE HOLD RALLY AGAINST WAL-MART
Mayor and slate hold rally against Wal-Mart [Edison/Metuchen (N.J.) Sentinel]
EDISON - In an attempt to thwart the inevitable, Mayor Jun Choi called in support from local unions and Edison residents on May 31 to rally against the building of a Wal-Mart store on Vineyard Road.
“It’s about telling Wal-Mart that they are not welcome here and setting a precedent for the next project,” said Evan Stavisky, a campaign strategist for Mayor Choi’s slate of council candidates.
Read the rest of this story ...
Posted by Beth Gostanian on Wednesday, June 06 | 0 comments | Permalink
View Wal-Mart Watch's videos on YouTube