Austin, TX Human Chain Protests Wal-Mart Chain
An estimated crowd of 2,500 people yesterday in Austin, Texas, formed a human chain to protest the proposal for a Wal-Mart chain store.
As Sprawl-Busters reported in December and January, Wal-Mart is trying to force neighbors to accept a 225,000 s.f. superstore. But even in Texas, some things can be too big.
Residents have been lobbying against Wal-Mart’s proposed Northcross Mall location for several months, but yesterday’s rally was one of the largest outpouring of opposition to any big box store in Texas, and the nation.
“We’re going to link arms around Northcross Mall in show of support for our alternative for Northcross Mall and in a protest against this type of development,” the group Responsible Growth for Northcross told Channel 8 News.
“Actions speak louder than words. And sometimes people have to actually see the level of support or outrage that the citizens have through forms of protests like this.
What you’re seeing here is literally thousands of people that are coming together representing the neighborhoods of the town and are saying we’re just really committed to making sure these things don’t happen.”
The Austin residents dressed in red, and joined hands to form a human chain circling the Northcross Mall, which first opened in 1975.
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Posted by Al Norman on Tuesday, February 13 | 0 comments | Permalink
Great Falls, MT. City Balks At Putting Cap on Big Box Size
Last night, local residents in Great Falls, Montana told their city commissioners that it was time to impose limits on big box sprawl in their Land Development Code. But the 5 City Commissioners were reluctant to limit developers, and put further discussion on a size cap off for two weeks.
Residents have been pushing for a cap of 100,000 s.f. on new stores. The city’s Planning Board has already approved the idea of a size cap, plus a requirement that any store over 75,000 s.f. conduct an economic impact analysis of the impact on city income vs. expenses. Local farmer Richard Liebert said the city should be promoting responsible growth that enhances locally owned businesses, not growth that destroys them.
Wal-Mart already has a discount store in Great Falls (which will close), and has proposed a 204,000 s.f. replacement for Great Falls that would be more than twice the size cap. A Wal-Mart supporter last night told commissioners that the term “big box store” was derogatory. Smaller businesses, he noted, aren’t called “wedge-shaped, one-floor or basement businesses.” According to the Great Falls Tribune, speakers at the hearing then started referred to big box stores as “large format retail store.”
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Posted by Al Norman on Thursday, February 08 | 0 comments | Permalink
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