Citizens in Arvada, Colorado are fighting their own public officials, who are paving the way for a Wal-Mart with millions of dollars in corporate welfare. Here’s their report: “The Arvada, Colorado Urban Renewal Authority (AURA) is using “eminent domain” for the wealthiest business in the world — Wal-Mart! The private property in question, determined as “blight” by the City of Arvada, includes a small spring-fed lake that has been cleaned up, and a very contemporary office complex built on one side, where it is fully occupied at premium rates! On the other side, is a large strip mall complex, which includes a Sam’s Club and an Office Depot, along with a defunct and vacant Home Base big box, which the owner has agreed to demolish, so that Wal-mart can build it’s own store. One realizes that Wal-Mart couldn’t possibly be able to use such a small and nasty building as the one that already exists! Instead, Wal-Mart will drain the lake, partially fill it with dirt and build “it’s own” huge store on the site. To top it off Wal-Mart will also receive, from the City of Arvada, $7.5 million in “tax increment financing”. Neighboring business owners and nearby residents are outraged. The lake has a path around it where business owners, employees, and others can walk, have lunch, and enjoy the ducks and other birds that frequent this tree-lined lake. On November 19, 2003, the Colorado Supreme Court will review the case, brought by the lake’s owners. The project is on hold pending a decision.”
Residents say that two new websites will be up and running very soon, to help expose corporate welfare tactics, attacks on private property rights, and other issues that affect citizens. See: www.freearvada.com &www.freewestminster.com . For more information on Arvada, contact [email protected]. Search this database by “corporate welfare” “eminent domain” or “tax incremental financing” for more stories of a similar theme.
