It's Official - Wal Mart is Coming

Front page of the business section of today's Austin American-Statesman says it all: "Wal-Mart part of Northcross plans." According to the article, the new 2-story supercenter will replace Sports Authority in the mall. It will follow the new urban store format the company has begun building in large cities around the country. According the article, these new stores don't follow the large sprawling box design and make an effort to "tailor to local tastes and aesthetics." ANA's president Gretchen Vaden is quoted in the article. The article also talks about what Lincoln Properties, the new owner of the mall, has in the works for the rest of Northcross mall, soon to be Northcross Center. Please read it and feel free to leave your comments here.

Comments

[Hilary]

If this is an "urban" Walmart, then why not locate it in the "Warehouse District" or "SOCO"? They need a nice,funky grocery store more than we do. That way the "urban" Walmart can be pedestrian friendly and rake in more taxes to continue to gentrify the South and East sides. The developers (from Dallas) will be in hog heaven.

[S. Reyes]

Wal-Mart is really the worst of the ratial corporations but you are deluding yourself if you think that there is such a thing as a good corportaion. Yes, many try to offset the damage they do by turning around and doing something good but the fact is, they are all businesses pushing their wares on us and creating waste by doing that. I'd like to see Northcross Mall turn into a community amenities center of sorts. Keep the skating rink, update it, improve it,add rooms for neighborhood meetings, make it place where local upstart businesses can sell etc.... But alas, that is all scinece fiction and fantasy to think that would ever happen? Very sad, but even sadder is everyone requesting yet another corporate franchise instead of WalMart...they are all Walmarts in one way or another.

[R. McMains]

Highland lost JC Penney's leaving a large amount of space. It is already two stories and already has ample parking and traffic flow.

[C.Brown]

If you think Wal Mart won't be crowded you alack commen sense. Name one grocery location in town that is not crowded! Austin is a city, it has a lot of people so it's basically crowded at all times.

[lloyd]

quote: "Thats so horrid. Why didn't we hear more opposition on this?
Why don't they go invade Highland Mall instead? "

- what a great senitment, keep WalMart away from our neighborhood, and let's encourage them to go ruin someone else's.

wow! such forward thinking.
lt.

[Deborah]

One last response I received from "db" of the City Council. Honestly, I can't recall ever receiving a more impersonal response from someone whose salary comes from my tax dollars; and yours:

I am saying there is nothing we can legally do to change it. A conditional use permit now would not apply to this develop. bd

Dunkerley, Betty Betty.Dunkerley@ci.austin.tx.us

[Brian]

We cannot allow Wal-Mart into our neighborhood. By protesting, we tell them to take their unethical business practices elsewhere.

Please let me know how I can help in keeping Wal-Mart out of NorthCross.

[Deborah]

I thought you might like to see the one sentence response that I got from the City Council... I am including my original e-mail and follow-up, as well. The "bd" in the letter is Betty Dunkerley (betty.dunkerely@ci.austin.tx.us); she was the only person that I heard back from:
--------------------------
I would like to know when the City Council will be scheduling a meeting that citizens can speak at, regarding the proposed Wal-Mart at Northcross Mall.

My hope is that the city council has not made a decision of such magnitude without first consulting with the homeowners in this area.

I will look forward to hearing back from you.

Most sincerely,

-D.Dalton
--------------------------
It is my understanding that the project needs no zoning change nor variances so will not come to Council. bd
---------------------------------
In other words, even with all of the negative emotions that Wal-Mart brings to a community, you do not feel that anything beyond sticking with current policy is in order. I am very curious to know why Westlake was able to prevent Wal-Mart from moving into their community, but we are receiving no attention at all from the city on this. Too, it is my understanding that a big-box ordinance is on the table and that a meeting is planned for 7 December.

I will look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

D. Dalton

[Nancy]

I am livid about the proposed WalMart invasion of Northcross Mall for all the reasons everyone has stated. I haven't shopped there in 10 years, nor would I, organic food, wood floors, "urban chic" and all! IT'S STILL WALMART!

I am particularly concerned that once again, the neighboorhood had no opportunity for input that I'm aware of, much less the subsequent declining property values, increased traffic, noise, etc., etc.. But in order to be effective, we have GOT to organize and present a united front (a LARGE united front). Look at what we were able to accomplish with getting the ridiculous "traffic islands" removed and sidewalks installed! And sorry, folks, but when the President of our neighborhood association gives a statement to the AAS, whether it's personal or not, it gives the appearance and perception that it's on behalf of the neighborhood, thank you.

Check out www.sprawl-busters.com for some interesting information on how to keep unwanted development out of neighborhoods. I think we should adopt as our moto in this effort one of their blurbs .... "Quality of Life is Worth More Than a Cheap Pair of Underwear"!!

As a 20-year resident, count me in for doing anything and everything I can do to stop this blitz to our very unique neighborhood. Nancy

[Yolanda C. Padilla]

How will Wal-Mart affect the Allandale Community? For information on the impact of Wal-Marts on communities, go to:

Frontline Report: "Is Wal-Mart good for America?"
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/

"The Real Facts About Wal-Mart"
http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/facts/
scroll down to "Community Impact"

"Wall-Mart Watch": COMMUNITY IMPACT
http://walmartwatch.com/battlemart/go/cat/community_impact

WHAT HAPPENED WHEN WAL-MART CAME TO TOWN? (1996)
http://walmartwatch.com/battlemart/resources/what_happened_when_wal_mart_came_to_town_1996/
link to pdf report

[Rob Carroll]

This news certainly doesn't do anything to dampen my concerns about the Allandale Wal-Mart idea.

Wal-Mart selling Nazi T-shirts:
http://tinyurl.com/v66hk

Three days after they said they would remove the items, they were (are?) still for sale:
http://tinyurl.com/ygnyhm

The SS Totenkopf as a comparison:
http://tinyurl.com/ymen8c

[Jennifer]

UPDATE: None of the city council members or the mayer acknowledged my emails (sent 11/7/2006). Guess we all need to send them snail mail. Also of note: I emailed our "representative" in Washington and same deal - not even an acknowledgement of the email.

[Dora]

I am absolutely opposed to a Wal-Mart placed at Northcross Mall. I do not shop at Wal-Mart for many reasons, and I do not want them in my neighborhood. There is nothing of which I approve about this company, and the Urban Concept Store does not sway me at all. No 800 car parking garage and no Wal-Mart of any type is my recommendation and goal. We must be organized and vocal to stop this invasion of our neighborhood.

[anna breshears]

Thought you all would be interested in this info below on Wal-Mart's attorney (the guy coming to your meeting). Please, if you oppose this dev't get in touch with me. I am in turn trying to get in touch with people organizing in Brentwood and Crestview so we can combine efforts and expertise. It won't so any good to just complain about things - we have to do something! Thanks, Anna B. underseakitty@yahoo.com

> A little background on Richard Suttle:
>
> - He is Wal-Mart's lawyer. This means that he is ethically
> obligated to zealously represent their interests - not ours.
> Although he may be a very likeable guy, personable, open-minded,
> etc., as Wal-Mart's lawyer in this matter he is not interested in
> (in fact, professionally prohibited from) helping us. This is very
> important to keep in mind. You can view his firm's website at
> www.abaustin.com. A little historical perspective on his work with
> Wal-Mart can be found at: http://www.amiba.net/pressroom/
> austiniba_proposal_5.27.05.html
>
> - Richard Suttle has a history (since at least 1991) of being on
> the opposite side of neighborhoods both as a lawyer and a lobbyist
> in some of the land use conflicts that have shaped Austin's
> political and real-estate-development identity. Some examples from
> the archives:
>
> http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A83594
> (2001 Aus Chron story speculating that Stratus Properties may have
> distanced themselves from Mr. Suttle as part of an image make-over
> to be perceived as more neighborhood friendly)
>
> Read about his role, representing developers, in the emergence of
> the SOS ordinance at http://www.sosalliance.org/mission.shtml
>
> He represents Indiana billionaire Bruce White, who owns White
> Lodging Services - the company threatening Las Manitas, Escuelita
> Del Alma and Tesoros in their development of the property between
> 2nd and 3rd streets on Congress http://
> communityupdate.statesmanblogs.com/tag.aspx?q=white and http://
> www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/10/18/18icons.html
>
> - Richard Suttle is well-connected with Austin's leadership.

[mizb06]

When the Chronicle first ran a story on the potential for Walmart there were many suggestions for alternative anchor stores. I remember one was Trader Joe's http://www.traderjoes.com/. Any way to resurrect those comments? I agree it would be helpful to bring up alternative revenue-generating ideas for the site. Also agree that's harder to do unless sonmeone has some real expertise in the matter.

[Fritz]

Please, Wal-Mart. Northcross is thriving beautifully on its own. Let's not ruin this landmark of enterprise.

[Yolanda C. Padilla]

I find the idea of a big store, ESPECIALLY Wal-mart, catostrophic. It will destroy the feel of our neighborhood, it will bring the value of our homes down. I dreaded this for a long time as I saw Northcross vacant. I had great pride and enjoyment in living off Burnet with it's small shops and coffee shops and Amy's Ice Creams and our beautiful Shoal Creek. All that will be history as we become a shoppers magnet. Wal-mart will care nothing about the beauty or the feel of our neighborhood. Let's not fool ourselves. This is WAL-MART we are talking about, not Whole Foods or Central Market. Profit, which means more traffic, more stores like theirs opening in the area, will be the driving force. Imagine a 24-hour Wal-Mart a stone's throw from our yard. I do not need or want stores in my neighborhood. If I need food, we have HEB and Sun Harvest, if I need stuff, I can go to areas in the periphery of the city. Why doesn't Wal-mart build in Tarrytown or down around West 6th street? Because there is NO WAY those neighborhoods would allow it.
I don't know what we can do to stop this. Even if our whole neighborhood boycotted the store, once they open, it would not do the trick. Wal-mart is not opening the store for the neighborhood. Wal-mart is not a "neighborhood store." So they will not need us.
So much for the safety of our kids riding their bikes up and down the streets, for the leisurely walks....for everything Allandale stands for.

[Mary Jean]

I apologize for any "fact twisting" I may have committed with regard to timelines. To the best of my knowledge, Highland Mall - Austin's premier shopping center at the time - opened in 1971, Northcross in 1975. Perhaps Northcross was doomed from the start - hence a shelf-life of about half that of Highland's. What is not twisted is the logic that the flux of retailers in and out of both most certainly did have something to do with one another (or, later, with the building of "new and improved" shopping centers). The anchor stores have everything to do with what kind of secondary stores you get. When the quality merchants move out (or sell out to lower quality), there's always plenty of discount/low quality merchants to move in. My point was that a Wal-Mart all gussied up is still a Wal-Mart and does nothing to address its real threats...only one of which is the negative impact it can have on the kind of businesses (established and potential) many of us desire for our neighborhood. That's my honest (fact-based) opinion.

[Jennifer]

Jay, I don't mean to be contentious. When AAS reports that someone in the neighborhood - who happens to be our association president - has an opinion that is in any way open to the idea, I get extremely nervous. I live VERY CLOSE to Northcross.
And I agree that people want a WalMart type of accessibility to goods and services: I do, because I'm visually impaired. Also I have neighbors who are elderly that told me they need a better proximity to groceries, food, stuff of life, and pharmacy. Same for me.
But we're NOT split on the issue: we ALL want redevelopment that satisfies everyone's needs. Those of us who live near Northcross are asking everyone to help support us in our simple request to continue to live in a nice place.
So please: let's not promote divisive conversation. If I have done that with my comments, then I sincerely regret it. It was not my intent.

[Meredith DeSpain]

I'm so glad to see people are concerned and echo all of your comments about Wal-Mart's business practices and its poor fit with our community. Like all of you, I'm desperately wondering what we can do and anxious to develop a concrete action plan to show our opposition. Take a look at this website: http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/community/ ... there are resources out there to help us wage this battle and a national community of like-minded people.

[anna breshears]

Hello Allandale. I am from the Wooten Neighborhood which also stands to be negatively impacted by this development. First of all, nothing is a done deal -- the permits have not yet been filed.

I am happy to see you are as outraged as some of us are. I am in contact with some folks from the Brentwood neighborhood on getting together and determining how to proceed.

I've also been in contact with Susan Moffatt who is on the board of Liveable City(www.liveablecity.org) and a founding member of Austin Full Circle (www.austinfullcircle.org). She is working toward establishing an Austin Big Box Ordinance which would make sure that developments cannot circumvent notifying neighborhoods about their plans. My understanding is that with enough support from the community, the City Council can be forced to pass this ordinance asap, though it's been talked about for the past year. There is a public hearing for December 7th.

Here's something forwarded from City Council Member, Mike Martinez's office:

> Next week council will authorize a public hearing set for Dec. 7th to discuss and decide on the Big Box Ordinance. I'm sure you're aware but the CUP wouldn't prevent big-boxes but it would improve the public
comment process.
>
> I just checked with the development folks and no permits have been filed yet so although it is being widely publicized, nothing is official here yet. Yesterday afternoon we were forwarded the statement below issued from Wal-Mart.
>
> "Wal-Mart has recently entered into a lease agreement with Lincoln
> Properties and we are excited to be one of the tenants in this
> innovative redevelopment opportunity. This new store will be one of
> the first two-story, urban-style Supercenters built in the nation. This
is a unique project in Austin's urban core and Wal-Mart recognizes that an
> urban-style store is most appropriate for >this location. The store will be designed >to complement the surrounding area and >will include urban architectural elements ?>and incorporate native building materials."
>
> - Kimberly Randle, Senior Public Affairs Manager for Wal-Mart Stores,
> Inc.

(my comment: I guess they think it looking pretty is the most important thing!)

> Because they will be modifying the >existing site (demolishing parts of
> the mall) I asked the development folks >if that would then require
> them to current impervious cover >requirements. Yes, it would but the
> current site is zoned GR which allows 90% >impervious cover. Most likely
> this is more than they need. If not, then >that would be a change to the zoning
> and would require council approval with >public input. If the CUP is
> passed before the project is permitted >then that would make the public
> hearing process happen.
>
> I hope this is useful. Let me know if you have any questions. Andy
>
> Andy Moore
> Aide to Council Member Mike Martinez
> Austin City Council
> 974-3036

The advice I am getting is to "hammer" City Council with letters in support of the ordinance and against the development. Also, consider writing letters to the Statesman as well.

Anyone interested in organizing against WalMart, please contact me offline at:
underseakitty@yahoo.com

Thank you!
Anna Breshears
Wooten Neighborhood

[Eric]

Lots of good opinions but not a lot of concrete direction for opposing action. How do we build a coalition, make our voice heard, and exert influence against this development? Who has done it before, how feasible is success, and what is our first step? I ask on my butt at the computer but these are the issues we need to pursue and I am quite green with the idea...let's formulate an action plan. All feedback is welcome!

[jay]

Regardless of one's opinion on Walmart, lets not twist the facts.
1. The Austin American Statsman did NOT "claim our association is OK with this." as Jennifer's 11/09/06 4:49 post states. The Austin American Statsman CLEARLY reported that our neighborhood association president "speaking for herself" when she was quoted. Since the ANA has NOT formally addressed the Walmart issue, she could not speak for ANA, but had every right to speak for herself.
2. Mary Jean's 11/09/06 2:43 post states "Northcross was a vibrant shopping area - and watched it turn into a virtual ghost town after the new Highland Mall opened" Highland Mall was well established before Northcross was built.
Lets NOT make suggestions on what kind of business should locate in some one elses neighborhood especially if we don't want the business in our neighborhood. Do we want other neighborhoods making recommendations for our neighborhood? I think not.
Finally lets at least be honest as Alyssa Hedge is in saying that the neighborhood, be it North Shoal Creek or ANA, is split on the issue.

[Alyssa Hedge]

If the vacant lot you are referring to is the one off of Steck Ave - at some point, it is supposed to be a library. And it is an Infiniti dealership going in on Burnet. I was on the North Shoal Creek NA and we received notification about that.

I am personally against the Wal-Mart. I bought in this area specifically because it was established and not much could change. The exact thing I was thinking of was "No Walmart".

I think our neighborhood is split on this issue, but I you will find some opposition from folks up here. I am very concerned about property values and the local businesses - many of which advertise in our newsletter and support our association.

[Jennifer]

Yeah. While we're on the topic, the car dealers definitely need to go.
It seems unanimous that we want some better businesses in the area... I guess we just need to be decisive and clear to government leaders (if they're listening) about what we DO want.
We seem to have done a great job monitoring the MoPac situation. (Last I checked,,, we're winning!) I follow that issue on a regular basis. Who'd have of thought that we needed to be all that concerned about land to the east of us? Northcross totally needs some rennovation and new thinking. But gosh-- WalMart leaves a really bad taste in my /nieghborhood/