Wal-Mart in High Ridge
UFCW Local 655 has been fighting Wal-Mart expansions for a while now. As reported in the media, the latest battle is over a proposed SuperCenter in Jefferson County at Highway 30 and High Ridge Blvd.
This location is only five miles away from two other existing regular Wal-Mart stores, at Gravois Bluffs in Fenton, and in House Springs. More to the point, there are several union-staffed grocery stores also within a five mile radius of the proposed Supercenter, which would include groceries.
I'm glad to see some serious opposition to Wal-Mart in Jefferson County. However, I'm less heartened by the reasoning given by the Planning Commission for denying the permit:
not enough parking!
Apparently they've only planned for 915 parking spaces. Zoning requires 950.
Ugh.
Somehow, I think THF Realty will find a way to shoehorn an additional 35 spaces onto the site, whatever it takes.
Clearly, this battle ain't over.
But at the same time, it's not exactly the way an urbanist would want to stop Wal-Mart.
Would the city's living wage ordinance apply, I wonder, if Wal-Mart planned to come here?
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3 comments:
These statements don't exactly tell the truth.... There is an old out dated Walmart that is too small to properly serve this growing community within 5 miles. The other store is quite a bit further, and is already overloaded with customers. A new Supercenter is badly needed due to all the growth in this area, as there are not enough department stores for all the new residents of the area. It's about time the unions worried about the real issue... American competitiveness, and stopped wasting time trying to keep progress at bay with protectionist tactics.
The proposed Walmart in High Ridge will replace the HouseSprings location.
Walmart wages start off higher than minimum wage and is competive with other retail stores. There is also no cap in wages as some of the union grocery stores has on thier employess.
I for one can't wait for it to be built. To get to the House Springs Walmart(too small, outdated), you have to risk speed traps by Byrnes Mill and House Springs police money grabbers. Eureka is too far and I'm tired of leaving my sales tax money in St louis county via the Fenton store.
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