Thanks to Wayne Sirmons, President of Mayfair Neighbors, for initial results from an online survey about the proposed Walmart in the CU Hospital campus area of 9th Ave and Colorado Blvd. According to Sirmons, 81.2% are strongly opposed;10.1% are opposed and 3.5% have no opinion. the other 5% are in favor of it.
If you have not taken the survey yet, please do so here:
I am all for WAL-MART, I look out my front window and I see empty UCH, soon to include the VA which is out my bedroom window. Wla-mat and all the other retailers need to start with the DEMOLITION. This is a joke, the recent meeting of the CBHCD meeting was to be about traffic and financing. People come to the meeting and start up with questing about how the CBHCD is chosen, why don;t the listed, same question at EVERY CBHCD meeting. I don;t want my taxes to pay for schools, and I know of MANY who oppose this since we do not have kids or ever will. Did anyone hear that the Taxes received from items sold will go to repay DURA. Wait, they had their RED BANDANA’S, RED SHIRTS over their ears.
I am all for Wal-Mart! Bring it on…
The statistics for this survey are skewed and biased. Only people who are vehemently opposed to Walmart entering the redevelopment are going to go out of their way to vote in that survey. Had this vote taken place in a much more public forum, with equal access to the survey from both sides of the argument, the results would not be as skewed as you state they are.
Also, everyone should read lbalvin’s comment on August 2nd. That guy posted the most logical and level headed reply I’ve ever seen on an activist site like this one.
I live in Mayfair on Elm Street. I vehemently oppose Walmart in any urban setting especially my neighborhood. My husband and I chose to live in the city so we may support local business that enhance and contribute positively to the community we live in. I do not believe Walmart will have a positive effect in my community. It would be a shame to lose an opportunity to turn this space into something useful just because of Walmart. However, I do not and will not support this project if it continues to support Walmart.
Wal-mart is a serious threat to the American dream. Many people realize that it will destroy our fragile, rebounding economy, but few seem to make the connection that these mega “one-stop” shopping places are a real threat to the American dream. “one-stop” retailers are just like communist good distribution centers. Everyone buys the same stuff at the same place and soon everyone is looking the same, and eating the same highly over processed foods and in all reality not saving as much money as they allege in their awful commercials; commercials that seem to be tailored to under educated people or people that are impressed by a flying smiley face. It has been proven many times by reputable people that you don’t actually save money when you go to wal-mart.
Any place where that allows an under qualified eighteen year old to sell guns while they work in the “sporting goods” section is absolutely flawed. They are one of the largest purchasers of Chinese imports, a fact which also seems to elude to the average person. Quit supporting cheap and poor quality chinese products and always buy american. The fact that this is even a debate is a bad sign for the condition of our society.
Bottom line: if you are really an American, who loves our country, you cannot and will not support a company that is bent on absolute destruction of our way of life. A company that hires people from neighborhoods far from the store location. A company that has awful pay and even worse benefits. A company that is so concerned with “low” prices that it imports a ton of crap from china and virtually puts American company’s out of business trying to keep up. Not to mention that giant mega stores are an absolute eyesore and tend to degrade the communities they are in. Think of all of the trash and traffic around wal-marts.
Wal-mart: anti-American.
Just a note to inform/remind others that two mental health sites that treat the mentally ill, some as inpatients, will be walking distance (about 3-5 blocks) from the proposed Walmart. Communities need to be aware the risk of having guns available so close to these sites. Otherwise, we are neglecting a duty to protect all of the potential involved parties. Would Walmart be comfortable having a store within 3 to 5 blocks of a prison? Would the latter community go along with this? Margaret
Those diagnosed with a mental illness are less likely to commit a violent act than the average, “normal” adult. While I vehemently oppose building a Walmart at 9th & Colorado, I don’t think it’s reasonable to perpetuate the idea that people with mental illness are dangerous.
A canvasser came to our door last night. He CLEARLY stated that he represented the developer and he CLEARLY stated that the primary opposition was not to the development itself, but to Walmart specifically. He also stated that Walmart itself is not involved in the lobbying effort. While my original repulsion at the idea of a Walmart so close to my home wasn’t completely cured, I did appreciate the thoughtfulness of the overall design. This isn’t going to be a big red white and blue mega store like you see in the burbs. All the parking will be underneath the store, the exterior design will be in keeping with the overall feel of the development (similar to how Lowry and Stapleton ‘main street’ areas have a cohesive feel). There are also concessions as to the actual content of the store itself….no gun sales, limited grocery, etc. So, the overall feel and look is something that I think would be fine. Of course, that doesn’t address the whole ‘do you want to support Walmart as a corporation’ question. I get that Walmart has its issues (trust me, I am NOT a fan)! However, I had to consider thoughtfully which corporations I would be okay with going in there. Target? They have a terrible record with regard to labor issues and gay rights, too. Chik-fil-a? We won’t even GO there. Will we protest a Chase bank outlet because of the sins of JP Morgan Chase traders? Or a Bank of America? Sunflower Market’s CEO was arrested in a child prostitution sting. Kmart/Sears has a reputation for keeping their employees scheduled for just few enough hours that they aren’t eligible for benefits. All I am suggesting is that we try to look at the entire picture and not just the myopic view on one particular store. I don’t know about anyone else, but I am sick to death of driving by the empty buildings and deteriorating landscape. I am ready to move forward, and if that means that I need to be open to ‘Walmart lite’ going in there, then I am willing to consider it. So, I know what I am against. And, I know what I am for…..if you are against Walmart, what WOULD you be in favor of?
Quick note – there is a huge parking lot to the west of the proposed Walmart, in addition to promised underground parking.
Just do an internet search for Walmart parking lot gunfire and you will see why we don’t need a Walmart 2 blocks away from Teller Elementary School’s playground.
Walmart spokesperson Phair promised no gun sales planned AT THIS TIME. The Wall St Journal however has reported Walmart’s intention to make guns and ammo available at ALL STORES.
Including the gun now available at Walmart, the Remington 870 Tactical repeating shotgun, used by the alleged Aurora massacre perpetrator.
This is a 110,00 sq ft WALMART, no matter what the spinmeisters try to sell you.
How about turning that lot into a park or a community garden. Does it even need to have any stores on it? Your points are valid, consider there are other alternatives to building anything at all. It should be made into a free open space for the community to enjoy as a whole. Good arguments, we need more people with critical thinking ability.
This is the most logical statement I’ve seen on this ENTIRE site. I wish more people like you existed.
A community garden would be lovely, but would not bring in any tax revenue. Like I said in my earlier post, I still don’t hear anyone suggesting a viable alternative. I would love to hear one. Walmart wouldn’t be my choice, either, but after so many years, it is time that land is put to use. I am sick of driving past empty buildings in decay. It makes my neighborhood look like a slum.
This is the first development proposal that I have seen that looks ‘pretty’, will make use of some of the currently blocked streets that will hopefully ease some congestion (I know I would use them), and seems to have a good mix of businesses already slated to go in. And, I believe that the developers do good work based on what I have read about their projects in other areas.
I sort of feel like this: We have a rusted out, non functioning car sitting on the street, making the whole area look bad. Someone wants to replace it with a functioning but ‘cheap’ vehicle like a Yugo, or a late 90′s Monte Carlo. And people are complaining because it isn’t a Rolls Royce.
I hear a lot of people lobbying AGAINST Walmart. Fine. But, wouldn’t it be a lot more productive to be out there lobbying FOR another company who could support the same kind of store space? Why not rally around your favorite retailer and petition them to work with the developer? I guess I just don’t understand what people’s solutions are. No Walmart. Then what?
Walmart has no place in our neighborhood. If it does go in, it should be heavily boycotted and in turn shut down. Wallmart should know that. Find a open field deep in Aurora.
To: Denver Planning Board, City Council, Mayors Office, and Media.
7/30/12
My name is Suzanne Frank. I reside at East 3rd Avenue in the Cherry Creek neighborhood.
The fact that you are considering a Walmart as a serious and viable option for the CU site is repugnant to the most Denverites.
Your own Neighborhood Development Plan does not say, “Put a big box store here.”
Walmart is notorious for sucking the economic life out of the surrounding neighborhoods. It has devoured the economies of many smaller cities.
Denverites cherish their neighborhood shopping districts. They are part of that special urban experience we all enjoy in this City. Walmart will destroy that lifestyle.
From my conversations with a variety of city officials, nobody but the Mayor supports the Walmart development.
Let me suggest that, to avoid conflict and to allow for easy approval of the development of a Walmart at the CU site, Planning Board positions would remain vacant and there is no need for a Planning Director because the Mayor is the Planner in Chief.
Perhaps, an expensive Public Relations person should be appointed to promote the Walmart Development. Denver’s Community Planning Department now has two highly paid PR flacks to beat the pan for this Mayor’s hair-brained idea.
Presently, the United States Justice Department is prosecuting Walmart for bribing local government officials for allowing Walmart developments in Mexico. That’s against the law in this country. Walmart is not a good corporate neighbor. Why would our Mayor even let them through his door?
Does anybody on this Board really think that Walmart’s executives in Florida and Texas are concerned about the health, lifestyle and soul of Denver’s neighborhoods? If you do, you’re delusional.
Walmart is notorious for abusing its employees, low-paying jobs and not providing decent health care benefits. Yet, the Mayor is eager to swap the former high paying CU medical positions for clerk and stock-boy jobs.
This hypocritical international corporation ballyhoos the firing of a homophobic Walmart employee and then contributes tens of thousands of dollars to right wing, anti-gay organizations. Walmart’s anti-gay stance will make for some ugly civil rights conflicts. Perhaps the Mayor will invite Chick-fil-A to locate in his new Walmart.
Can our public officials get a non-discrimination agreement signed? How would that be enforced? I encourage you to Google Walmart’s history in South America. It isn’t pretty.
You may extract an agreement from Walmart to prohibit the sales of guns and liquor. But, Walmart is in this for the long haul. It will be forgotten in five years.
This economic viper may sign agreements today, but you simply can’t change decades of a corporate culture of lawlessness and discrimination.
We take pride in Denver’s diverse populations. Corporations that promote bigotry and discrimination should not be welcomed into our city.
Walmart’s prejudiced and intolerant attitudes may play well in Douglas and Weld counties…but, not in Denver County.
Denver’s Urban Renewal Authority says they just have to give Walmart Denver’s tax money to develop the expensive site. They say that CU is blackmailing the city by threatening to let the site become an apocalyptic slum if the sale to Walmart doesn’t go through.
A vigorous effort should be made to encourage the Governor and former Denver Mayor Hickenlooper to stress to the CU Regents that blackmailing the Capitol of Colorado is not acceptable. He is still a Denver resident.
An ordinance should be passed to fine state institutions that don’t maintain their abandoned property much like the City fines its own residents if their property is not maintained.
Our present Mayor should take a tip from former Mayor Webb….think of the well planned. highly successful Lowry and Stapleton redevelopments. Mayor Webb was not shy about warping zoning laws to redevelop the Ballpark Neighborhood. Where’s the leadership in this city?
It doesn’t take political guts to make popular decisions like keeping the Denver Stock Show in Denver or firing an unpopular Police Chief. It does take political nerve to confront an international corporate monster that is only interested in soaking up profits by crushing small local businesses.
The Mayor should have told them to take a hike on the day of the proposed purchase of the site.
Apparently, the Mayor is ignoring the vivid signs of recovery in Denver. Property values have stabilized and are rising. This is a boomtown compared to most U.S. cities. The real estate market is strong and positive.
Yet, in his haste to locate his Walmart friends on 11th and Albion, the Mayor attempts to frighten and stampede the public into accepting this gash in the fabric of Denver’s meticulously planned neighborhoods. It will be there for decades.
There will be another developer who will capitalize on the value and financial potential of the site…a developer who is sensitive to the true neighborhood heart of our wonderful urban island surrounded by a sea of suburbs. That developer will deserve DURA’s Tax Increment Financing to enable it to produce a product that reflects the neighborhoods’ scale and the desires of the existing residents.
I have to address Walmart’s stooge developer’s comment in the Cherry Creek Chronicle. Mr. Fuqua indicated public meetings were held just “to let the people vent”. This offensive and condescending statement tells me that these meetings are just theater to him. What gives him so much confidence? Is the Walmart plan already a done deal?
The Mayor’s support of the Walmart development indicates that he really doesn’t understand the true character of Denver’s residents or the soul of the city that he is supposed to administer. And, he never will.
As Board Members, you are community leaders who understand that this is not just about design.
Beyond the issues of property values, property taxes, and corporate profits, it’s a golden opportunity to produce another citizen friendly development as originally depicted in your own Neighborhood Development Plan.
As Mayoral appointees, you have an obligation to tell this Mayor that he has violated the trust of Denver voters by considering locating this job killing corporation into the heart of Denver.
I regret that I voted for him…never again. He is the Republican’s Democrat. He’s a one term Mayor who will be replaced by an individual who identifies with his electorate and can blend big ideas with small, green and local.
This is the one time that you are allowed to throw the baby out with the bathwater. If you are community leaders…then lead! The Walmart project must be scrapped now.
Thank you.
There is a website called http://neighborsforninth.org, which has actually been set up by Walmart’s lobbying firm, David Cook and Associates.
I recently posted on their site the following:
“EVERYONE WHO IS OPPOSED TO THIS DEVELOPMENT SHOULD KNOW THIS SITE is registered to Caki Cook who works as an in house web designer for David Cole and Associates.
David J Cole & Associates, Inc. (DJCA) is a government and community relations firm and lobbyist group hired to promote the Walmart development.
Don’t be fooled into signing ANYTHING this site is promoting. It is ONLY about getting the Walmart approved. Tell Walmart to get the hell out of our neighborhood!”
I’m not sure how long they’ll allow that post to stay up, but we need to flood it with opposition posts and let people know it’s just a false front, pro-Walmart site. It’s certainly not a “Neighbors for Ninth” advocacy group. It shows Walmart will go to any deceitful lengths they must to get what they want.
my comment is brief:
ABSOLUTELY NO WALMART IN THIS AREA!!!
for the many reasons i don’t need to reiterate here and any decently aware and concerned human being know.
I would rather have an empty wall or space in my home until I find the right object that elevates everything else around it. Sure, I could find a hundred mediocre cookie-cutter options that don’t challenge the imagination and would solve my immediate need, and even look appealing to most people. But why settle for that? Why not think more creatively about how to solve the problem? Why not push the envelope outside the ordinary? Building chain stores in this neighborhood is the equivalent to this. It lacks imagination. It’s disrespectful of the surrounding culture, and it doesn’t elevate anything around it. It’s lazy urban planning and ignores a huge opportunity. It lacks character and integrity, and the desire to create something of lasting value for the future. We can reference unique Denver neighborhoods (the Highlands!) or cities around the world that have stand-out personalities without one chain store in sight. Look to the inspired communities and break-the-mold developments that speak to the best of urban planning & design. Why shouldn’t we strive for this? And why would we settle for anything less? When decisions are made with the primary focus being the bottom line, you usually get the bottom of the barrel solutions.
So well said!i
We had someone come to our door today for NeighborsforNinth.org wanting us to say a document saying we want the site at 9th and Colorado to be redeveloped. It was very deceiving, however, because on the surface it seemed totally innocuous or something people would agree with. There is nothing about Wal-Mart on the document and it makes it seem as if you’re just signing a document that you want the site to be redeveloped (instead of staying as is). What you’re really doing is saying that you support the current redevelopment plan, including a Wal-Mart. A quick visit to the Web site http://www.neighborsforninth.org makes it clear it is the developer behind the effort. Although even the Web site is careful to avoid mention of Wal-Mart until a piece that makes the case that the only way to redevelop the site (and avoid terrible blight) is to accept Wal-Mart. It also makes it seem as if the neighborhood associations are in support. The person was clearly a hired canvasser and tried to avoid questions about Wal-Mart.
I think neighbors should be warned so that they are not duped into signing something they don’t support. Obviously, if folks support the current plan, that’s fine, but I am afraid people will sign without realizing what they are actually signing.
Strongly opposed. Keep the Neanderthals gathering down south….
I live at Colorado and Louisiana down the road from the 8th and Colo location. I spend a lot of time at that particular block. Could not be more opposed to be staring at a Walmart every time I’m there.
We can continue our posts opposing the walmart on the website and facebook pages of “neighbors for 9th”, we can go to the meeting on 8/2 4 pm National Jewish, we can email our city council representatives as well as the mayor, we can be sure our neighbors are aware. We all want the “unique and vibrant” development promised to us in the “goals” of the general development plan. With luck and great effort we can prevail.
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