Sprawl-Busters has received the following update from the battle in Titusville, Florida, where residents have been locked in a struggle to push a proposed Wal-Mart supercenter out of their community. Here’s their latest report: “The Tanglewood Homeowners Association and other area residents fought the retail giant for months and as of May 9, 2005, Wal Mart finally conceded and rescinded their offer on a 96 acre piece of land located at the corner of Interstate 95 and S.R 406 (Garden Street) in Titusville, Florida. The fight from residents against a new super-store less than 5 miles from an existing location was for many reasons, including a dislike of the company’s business practices, the location of an elementary school directly across the street, and the fact that the proposed site would cover the recharge area for the local water supply. The individuals who spearheaded the effort were Lisa Smith and Arlan Baker. Both did an excellent job and the residents are forever indebted to these women for their persistence, dedication, sacrifice, and vision.”
Another Wal-Mart bites the dust, a casualty of local citizen opposition. Developers would do far better, and save time and much money, by meeting with residents first, and when the neighbors say a project is too big to be acceptable, or that a Wal-Mart store five miles away will do, to move on to another location where people are more enthusiastic. For local contacts in Titusville, contact [email protected] a history of Titusville’s battle, search Newsflash by the name of the town.
