Why Isn't ANA Doing Anything to Stop Wal-Mart?

submitted by Linda Huff

After observing that the survey produced by the ANA shows a significant majority of Allandale residents oppose the Wal-Mart, I felt compelled to write and express my concern as to why the ANA is not taking a lead in opposing the Wal-Mart based on the reasons in the the ANA charter: " to protect the neighborhood quality of life, safety, residential characteristics and property values."

Northcross, I believe, should have a grocery store but not a 220,000 square foot behemoth that will be unleasable if the store is later abandoned by Wal-Mart. In researching past Lincoln  Property/Wal-Mart deals I became aware that these companies initially give a very low traffic flow impact, then, after they are in place and operating, they petition cities to expand the arterial roads to their complexes.

There is no doubt that this would have huge implications for traffic on interior streets in our neighborhood. The fact that the Super Wal-Mart will be open 24x7 means that traffic on interior streets will be 24x7 as well, not to mention the noise, light and run-off pollution from the complex.

There are studies available that explain how Wal-Marts reduce property values and increase crime in the neighborhoods they occupy. We do not need a super big box like Wal-Mart in our neighborhood. I cannot find one advantage of such a store at Northcross - it will ultimately only hurt Allandale. Concessions are not enough and honestly never work with Wal-Mart. We need to stop it. Period.

When Don and I were passing out fliers in our part of Allandale for the Responsible Growth for Northcross Community Forum meeting, (which will be held on Thursday, November 30, at 7 p.m. at Grace Church of the Nazarene at 1006 W. Koenig Ln.) we were thanked by several residents who were thrilled to hear that someone was actually trying to stop the Wal-Mart from happening. They couldn't understand why the ANA hadn't done anything to stop it.

I don't understand as well why the ANA leadership has not tackled this catastrophe - perhaps they think the Wal-Mart is a "done deal." There are numerous ways of preventing Wal-Mart from happening and also getting a different and eclectic development that better fits our neighborhood and the plan for Austin as a whole. I encourage all of the ANA Board to attend the Wal-Mart meeting on Thursday to hear how this can become a reality and to consider an approach to Wal-Mart that is better aligned with the wishes of Allandale and with all the other neighborhoods: Wooten Park, Crestview, Brentwood, North Shoal Creek, Rosedale and others who are willing to fight this threat together.

We moved here in 1975 and raised our children in this great and safe neighorhood - we love it and don't want to see it destroyed. Please help us protect it for future generations.

Sincerely,
Linda Huff
2703 Pegram Ave.

Comments

[Mary Jean]

I see the Executive Committee has posted a meeting for Sunday [December] 3 to discuss and possibly take action regarding the Northcross development. Let's be hopeful that they will agree that the information available at this time is enough to at least request the City to suspend approval...

[Mary Jean]

I agree with Linda that ANA's failure to state its position on this issue is disturbing. To date, the only mention of the ANA in the newspapers has been by way of personal opinions expressed by its President. What we need, however, is an official statement by the ANA.

Although lacking statistical scrutiny, the results of the recent survey showed 69% against, 17% for, and 14% undecided. Whether one wants to interpret these results as showing an overwhelming majority against, or as "mixed", is their perogative. Both conclusions are accurate, though the latter is misleading in that it suggests that the results were balanced. However, the issue here has more to do with leadership and representation (or lack thereof).

A significant number of residents are both willing and able to fulfill their individual responsibility insofar as how it relates to the mission of the ANA (as Linda noted above) - demonstrated by letting their voices be heard and by action via the grassroots organization, Responsible Growth for Northcross. It's time the ANA do the same. We have empowered them to represent and lead this neighborhood - and although numerous members of the ANA have taken on an active role in this debate, I have seen neither representation nor leadership from the Board. Rumor, inuendo, and assumption is all that's left to fill the void left by their silence.

If the majority of (voting) Americans are expected to live with a President they didn't vote for, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect 17% to 30% of Allandale residents to live with and respect the ANA taking a position AGAINST the site plans at Northcross. Anything less than that, including silence, does not represent our neighborhood. If the ANA does not involve itself in an issue carrying such significant and far-reaching consequences as this, and instead involves itself in only the cosmetic details of the neighborhood, then, in my opinion, the value of the ANA is minimal and its efforts annoying.

[Janet Hutchison]

Both my husband and I are opposed to Walmart in the Allandale neighborhood. Not only because of the traffic and crime issues a Walmart brings, but because of Walmart's inferior labor practices which translate to low wages and a lack of health coverage for their employees.