Mays Street & Old Settlers Park
Meeting Just Raised More Concerns
RECEIVED Tue., Dec. 19, 2006
Dear Editor,
Last night, I attended the Crestview Neighborhood Association meeting, where representatives from the engineering firm developing the property spoke in an effort to allay any concerns the neighborhood might have about the proposed construction. Instead, it only brought more questions and skepticism to mind.
1) First, representatives from Wal-Mart failed to appear at the meeting, which demonstrates a certain level of disdain for the community. Wal-Mart's PR group can give lip service to the inclusion of the community all they want, but if they fail to appear ... it just speaks to what I think most of the people in the neighborhood fear. Wal-Mart is interested in Wal-Mart, and not interested in being beholden to or accountable to the community. That's not the sort of business that I want in my neighborhood.
2) The traffic impact analysis seems to be at best incomplete and at worst negligent.
a) Impact on Morrow was not included. It's a pretty common shortcut through that area, and it's a residential street.
b) The proposed number of trucks per day (six to nine) seems like it's a conservative estimate to say the least. Further, the metrics used as a basis of that estimate are flawed. The engineering company representatives stated that estimate was based on the volume of traffic at an average area Supercenter. This facility is intended to be the largest in the area. No mention was made of that.
3) It does not appear that they have considered the impact on public transportation yet.
4) What will be the impact on smaller locally owned businesses? I can't see an upside for them. Am I missing something?
I'd like to state, in addition, that I am pro-density. I believe that Northcross is in desperate need of revitalization. However, I do not think that Wal-Mart is the solution.
Last night, I attended the Crestview Neighborhood Association meeting, where representatives from the engineering firm developing the property spoke in an effort to allay any concerns the neighborhood might have about the proposed construction. Instead, it only brought more questions and skepticism to mind.
1) First, representatives from Wal-Mart failed to appear at the meeting, which demonstrates a certain level of disdain for the community. Wal-Mart's PR group can give lip service to the inclusion of the community all they want, but if they fail to appear ... it just speaks to what I think most of the people in the neighborhood fear. Wal-Mart is interested in Wal-Mart, and not interested in being beholden to or accountable to the community. That's not the sort of business that I want in my neighborhood.
2) The traffic impact analysis seems to be at best incomplete and at worst negligent.
a) Impact on Morrow was not included. It's a pretty common shortcut through that area, and it's a residential street.
b) The proposed number of trucks per day (six to nine) seems like it's a conservative estimate to say the least. Further, the metrics used as a basis of that estimate are flawed. The engineering company representatives stated that estimate was based on the volume of traffic at an average area Supercenter. This facility is intended to be the largest in the area. No mention was made of that.
3) It does not appear that they have considered the impact on public transportation yet.
4) What will be the impact on smaller locally owned businesses? I can't see an upside for them. Am I missing something?
I'd like to state, in addition, that I am pro-density. I believe that Northcross is in desperate need of revitalization. However, I do not think that Wal-Mart is the solution.
Andrew Boyd
