In the last 24 hours, Sprawl-Busters has received around a dozen urgent emails from upset residents in the Willowbridge suburb northwest of Houston, Texas. This community is apparently in the extra territorial jurisdiction outside of Houston in Harris county. The first message to reach us said: “We have just found out that a Super Wal-Mart has asked for water and sewer hookups on 29 plus acres across the street from our Planned Community and Elementary School.?? We do not want the Walmart and its gas station.” That was followed by this email: ??”I learned of the?? distressing news that a Super Walmart has set its sights on the piece of land directly adjacent to the entrance to Willowbridge/Stonebridge on Willowbridge Park Blvd. It is also adjacent to the Gleason Elementary school.” Then a third email arrived: “I just found out that they plan on building a Supercenter Wal-Mart right outside my neighborhood – Willowbridge/Stonebridge. This is an upscale new neighborhood with homes ranging between $175,000-$300,000. I really do not know more than this since the neighborhood is having a meeting Monday night. I just noticed the anti-protest signs and survey stakes yesterday.” A fourth resident added: “I am floored at the thought of a Wal-Mart being built across from our neighborhood entrance! We live in a residential area, completely surrounded by other neighborhoods and are terrified to think of our children playing in the Wal-Mart Parking Lot! Additionally, the lot in which Wal-Mart is looking to build is within 50 feet of Gleason Elementary School.” Community activists are getting organized quickly, and plan to bring their concerns to the Harris County Commissioners. There are reportedly at least 3 Wal-Marts within ten minutes of this location.
Texas leads the nation in empty Wal-Mart stores. Wal-Mart has moved out of at least 45 of its discount stores, leaving a total of 3.3 million square feet of space behind. 17 of these 45 stores have been on the market for at least 3 years.Wal-Mart has a new store on the market in Houston, if anyone wants a 106,000s.f. store. Every new superstore usually means a Wal-Mart discount store nearby will close. For local contacts in the Willowbridge area, contact [email protected]
