Arvada wishes to gift-wrap $5.8 million to a company which makes $17 billion in yearly profits. To put $17 Billion in perspective, that is enough money cover this bailout 2931 times*.
Such favoritism by government is not something I can endorse, and I am surprised that anyone can. Especially for a project I have doubt will truly improve the area. I hear about Walmart improving neighborhoods or economies just about as often as I hear about them wrecking it. The truth, as always, is somewhere in between. The Walmart which took over a field and small outdoor mall at 72nd and Sheridan in Westminster Colorado did less havoc to the surrounding neighborhoods than I imagined (it did kill the mall up the road, as everyone knew), but I haven't seen it excel as a wonderful place to be, either. It certainly isn't as nice as the old mall. When the first Walmart comes to an area, I am sure it shows a bunch of boon for a local economy because we measure them so divided. In Alamosa, the super-store is the only thing like it for miles around and people drive from as far as Creed to get cheaper napkins. Yet... Alamosa is still poor itself. I wonder where all that imported money is going?
But I have a better idea. Launching of of Indianapolis' Cultural Trail project. This project targeted community, sustainable transportation, exercise, people and citizens, interaction, beauty, art.... It bolstered many aspects of the city. It is a wholeistic project and it was funded almost entirely by philanthropy. It didn't use tax dollars and certainly didn't raise rates.
This isn't Indianapolis. And I don't mean to insinuate that Arvada can raise $63 million dollars for one street corner. But perhaps there are some people out there who would love to see Arvada more beautiful. We might be able to raise 5.8 million to help improve the frankly ugly Arvada Plaza, some of it as a fine on the negligent land owner.
This is a perfect time to act. Commuter Rail is going through the area. If we are prepared with nice places to be, then passengers might make Arvada as much of a destination as Downtown Denver. If, instead, there is a Walmart draining the business out of Olde Town, then we could be a very forgettable stop. Old Town Arvada has made itself into an amazing center of commerce and fun. It would be much more of a shame to kill that than it was to kill the Westminster Mall.
The primary things to consider to improve the area are:
http://yourhub.denverpost.com/arvada/arvada-government-favoritism-walmart/7RnvhpTk93ZFDvt1mDCNWI-ugc?hl
http://www.qualityarvada.info/
http://stoparvadawalmart.com/
http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/09/15/biz_biz1amart.html
http://landscapevoice.com/indianapolis-cultural-trail/
http://www.businessinsider.com/16-walmart-facts?op=1
http://www.pbs.org/itvs/storewars/stores2.html
http://www.now.org/issues/wfw/wm-facts.html
*Less impressive analogies: Walmart has enough profit to give every person on the planet $2.43, or every person in America (308.7 million people, 2010 census) $55. Or every person below poverty (estimated 15% - 50%) $367 - $110. Just from this year.
Such favoritism by government is not something I can endorse, and I am surprised that anyone can. Especially for a project I have doubt will truly improve the area. I hear about Walmart improving neighborhoods or economies just about as often as I hear about them wrecking it. The truth, as always, is somewhere in between. The Walmart which took over a field and small outdoor mall at 72nd and Sheridan in Westminster Colorado did less havoc to the surrounding neighborhoods than I imagined (it did kill the mall up the road, as everyone knew), but I haven't seen it excel as a wonderful place to be, either. It certainly isn't as nice as the old mall. When the first Walmart comes to an area, I am sure it shows a bunch of boon for a local economy because we measure them so divided. In Alamosa, the super-store is the only thing like it for miles around and people drive from as far as Creed to get cheaper napkins. Yet... Alamosa is still poor itself. I wonder where all that imported money is going?
But I have a better idea. Launching of of Indianapolis' Cultural Trail project. This project targeted community, sustainable transportation, exercise, people and citizens, interaction, beauty, art.... It bolstered many aspects of the city. It is a wholeistic project and it was funded almost entirely by philanthropy. It didn't use tax dollars and certainly didn't raise rates.
This isn't Indianapolis. And I don't mean to insinuate that Arvada can raise $63 million dollars for one street corner. But perhaps there are some people out there who would love to see Arvada more beautiful. We might be able to raise 5.8 million to help improve the frankly ugly Arvada Plaza, some of it as a fine on the negligent land owner.
This is a perfect time to act. Commuter Rail is going through the area. If we are prepared with nice places to be, then passengers might make Arvada as much of a destination as Downtown Denver. If, instead, there is a Walmart draining the business out of Olde Town, then we could be a very forgettable stop. Old Town Arvada has made itself into an amazing center of commerce and fun. It would be much more of a shame to kill that than it was to kill the Westminster Mall.
The primary things to consider to improve the area are:
- Having space for people. Animals. Plants. Life. So that people will stay, have fun, enjoy themselves, and use the space. Maybe just buy a second croissant.
- Connect and interact with other local features. Like parks, trails, Olde Town, the coming Commuter Rail. Support options for travel, especially ones involving outside and exercise.
- Open up the soil. Reduce paving. Allow things to live. Pavement is good only for wheeled creatures. Sidewalks are as hard on the human knee and feet as it is for our CO2 footprints. Soil, however, is good for everything.
- Community. Local production and value rather than imported and exported value. Walmart would employ a few people, hundreds of jobs they claim, but how many jobs are lost? And how well do they treat their employees. Walmart is pretty hard on the economy at large.
- Work with local talent to beautify Arvada. There are artists and craftsmen would would love the opportunity to put their work in public.
- Make it a pleasant place to be.
There is a lot more information on Walmart. Is this really what we want for our communities? Or just push it on other people? Generally, people seem to want the latter, forgetting entirely the Golden Rule of morality. Only do to others what you would like done to you. Would you like one in your backyard?
http://yourhub.denverpost.com/arvada/arvada-government-favoritism-walmart/7RnvhpTk93ZFDvt1mDCNWI-ugc?hl
http://www.qualityarvada.info/
http://stoparvadawalmart.com/
http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/09/15/biz_biz1amart.html
http://landscapevoice.com/indianapolis-cultural-trail/
http://www.businessinsider.com/16-walmart-facts?op=1
http://www.pbs.org/itvs/storewars/stores2.html
http://www.now.org/issues/wfw/wm-facts.html
*Less impressive analogies: Walmart has enough profit to give every person on the planet $2.43, or every person in America (308.7 million people, 2010 census) $55. Or every person below poverty (estimated 15% - 50%) $367 - $110. Just from this year.
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