Many elected officials want Wal-Mart to come to their town because their planners have told them that this is how you solve a city’s financial woes — by killing off local business and substituting one big one that has no roots. In some places, the local officials don’t buy the line, and realize that Wal-Mart brings no added value to their municipal economy. In the city of Tigard, Oregon, both the Mayor and the State Representative have been less than enthusiastic about a Wal-Mart supercenter. The giant retailer wants to build a 220,000 s.f. superstore. Last March, Wal-Mart rumors began circulating when Pacific Realty Associates filed a preapplication for a huge store. City officials at the time said it was “probably” a Wal-Mart. The retailer, of course, refused to confirm anything, and simply said, “We are constantly looking at locations and real estate, and we are always looking for opportunities.” When asked for a response, Mayor Craig Dirksen told The Oregonian newspaper, “I’m not happy with the idea at all. I’m opposed to the company based on what I know of the way they treat their employees, and also based on the impact that their marketing practices have on other local businesses.” The local State Representative went even further. Rep. Larry Galizio organized a group called Tigard First to fight off Wal-Mart. Galizio figured a 220,000 s.f. store had to be a Wal-Mart, and told the newspaper, “If it looks like a duck and it acts like a duck.” Galizio also sent a letter to Wal-Mart officials in Arkansas saying, “The people of Tigard have legitimate concerns about this massive facility. They want to know what it will do to our traffic and our environment. They have serious worries about the impact on small businesses and local retailers, quality jobs with decent benefits and the overall quality of life in our community. The people of Tigard deserve to know whether or not Wal-Mart seeks to occupy this prominent area within our city. They don’t want to be shoved off on a PR person or a development company. They want a straight answer from you.” By early June, local opponents were busy organizing against the store that had not yet materialized. The City Clerk posted an announcement on the city’s website that she had received over 80 calls opposing Wal-Mart. “The calls are apparently instigated by an anti-Wal-Mart organization that contacts citizens randomly and then forwards their calls to City Hall if they are opposed to Wal-Mart.” The clerk added, “the city has set up an automated voice mail box. The calls have continued into Monday morning, when over 30 calls were received. While the city welcomes citizen comment on City issues, the public should understand that there is no current application for a Wal-Mart to be developed in Tigard.” This week, the group Tigard First sent the following press release to Sprawl-Busters: “We’ve got their attention! Tigard Mayor Craig Dirksen addressed the possibility of Wal-Mart coming to Tigard in the August City Newsletter. While the Mayor is correct in stating that an application will be approved or denied based on the merits of the land use application, we are confident that sufficient concerns exist to deny a SuperCenter in the Tigard Triangle. Until the existing traffic problems are solved, the local roads cannot handle another big-box store in the area. Tigard First is committed to helping residents stay involved in the growth of our City, and to encourage development that enhances our community. Revitalization of downtown is key to Tigard’s livability and protecting that vision is a main goal of our group. Additionally, there is evidence that Wal-Mart contributes to crime, repeatedly violates environmental regulations, and damages local business. City officials should be concerned about locating a Wal-Mart just 1/4 mile from the heart of Tigard. There is also a significant wetland located on the site, one of the rapidly vanishing natural areas left in the City.”
Tigard First also has a pro-active agenda for the city that does not involve big box stores: “In order to support Tigard’s downtown and protect the livability of our community, Tigard First suggests the following: 1. Let’s build a beautiful downtown: A moratorium on development within ?? mile of the urban renewal boundary until design standards, which are currently being developed, are approved. 2. We don’t need another big-box: Rezoning the Tigard Triangle for mixed use development will keeping traffic, crime and impact to local business under control.” Tigard joins other Oregon communities like Gresham, which are in the middle of their Wal-Mart battle. For local contacts in Tigard, contact [email protected].