Wal-Mart: Constructing a store on Hayden Island doesn't make economic senseBy Jesse Beason
Wal-Mart has issued a statement explaining that they are no longer interested in building a store on Hayden Island: For Immediate Release October 4, 2006 Contact; Wal-Mart's Commitment to Portland, Oregon, Customers and Possible Store Sites Portland, Ore. -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., issued the following statement regarding their commitment to thousands of Portland area customers who continually ask for new Wal-Mart stores close to their neighborhoods. Recent speculation on a specific piece of property located on Hayden Island within the city of Portland led Wal-Mart to make a statement clarifying its intentions for city officials and for the residents of the metropolitan area. The statement is as follows: "With regard to a proposed store on Hayden Island, or any proposed project in the Portland metro area, Wal-Mart agrees with Commissioner Sam Adams and local residents' concerns about traffic In a growing city. Wal-Mart continues to work with ODOT, cities and counties on traffic solutions that build better and stronger traffic systems." "However, Wal-Mart feels a development moratorium is not an appropriate solution to address traffic problems, and further a moratorium could severely restrict Hayden Island residents' ability to encourage community renovations and investment." "Several major projects proposed to improve the island would be negatively impacted by the moratorium. Instead of delaying these projects further, the City should work collaboratively with interested parties to establish plans to relieve traffic congestion." "Together with the property owner, Howard Dietrich Jr., Wal-Mart has decided that although the Hayden Island site Is appropriately zoned for a Wal-Mart store and the store would be an allowed use, constructing a store on the site doesn't make economic sense. Wal-Mart has a commitment to its shareholders to invest their money in projects that protect their investment. Wal-Mart remains committed to better serving its loyal Portland customers and will continue to seek appropriate sites for new stores in the area." "Wal-Mart's decision not to pursue a new store on Hayden Island Is purely a business decision based on basic economics and cost analysis of purchasing the property and constructing the store, and is not a response to Portland Commissioner Sam Adams' proposed temporary development moratorium on the island." About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Posted Wed, 10/04/2006 - 8:34am.
[[ Categories: Jobs & Economy | Livability & Environment | North Portland | Transportation | Wal-Mart ]]
I don't recall anyone fromSubmitted by Richard Gill on Wed, 10/04/2006 - 9:20am.
I don't recall anyone from Wal Mart coming to one of our neighborhood association meetings to discuss: Hayden Island residents' ability to encourage community renovations and investment. Richard Gill » reply
Cut and run fakersSubmitted by Mr Nice on Wed, 10/04/2006 - 9:53am.
That press release was full of the same BS, spin and lies that Wal-Mart is all about. And on the day of the hearing too. Does this company have no shame? Shouldn't it take more than just low prices to "encourage community renovations and investment"? Come on people, let's stand up for something a little more important than cheap stuff and gross commercialism. Aren't we better than that? Can't we aspire to something higher? » reply
Wal-Mart & Hayden Island developmentSubmitted by Steve Welch on Wed, 10/04/2006 - 10:26am.
One certainly has to applaud Wal-Mart's decision to back away from bringing a store to Hayden Island, but the opposition to development can not stop there. Hayden Island was incorporated into the city 20 years ago and was perhaps not forgotten, but certainly overlooked for the last 20 years. Now.....ALL OF A SUDDEN.....within the last 125 days there is a tremendous rush to push through a development that has not been planned for. The "time out" moratorium proposal is PRO-DEVELOPMENT done right. >24 mos. The site of the new bridge will be announced Delaying development for 24 months will allow all entities to properly plan the future of Hayden Island. So...why would a new development be approved right where they want to put a new bridge? The obvious placement for the new bridge is west of & parallel to the present bridge. This would be over the Thunderbird Hotel site and ODOT officials do not wish to build a bridge over open and operating structures for obvious reasons including safety. There is no real urgency here. Let's be a little patient. With all due diligence performed, the result we will be a well planned development and island community that we can all be proud of. This is the gateway to Oregon, let's take the time to plan Hayden Island's future » reply
I-5 and the Wal-Mart locationSubmitted by Karen on Wed, 10/04/2006 - 3:25pm.
I completely concur with Steve on the placement for the new bridge (over the Thunderbird Hotel site). I believe if Wal-Mart had been able to get approval, the property would have to be taken by eminent domain [a right of a government to take private property for public use by virtue of the superior dominion of the sovereign power over all lands within its jurisdiction] and Wal-Mart would have gotten a pittance for the property in return as their costs would have been huge. Just my $0.02. » reply
So let me get this straight:Submitted by Victoria Taft on Wed, 10/04/2006 - 11:37am.
So let me get this straight: Sam has agreed to recuse himself from all future WalMart discussion/votes before City Council. Then if WalMart decides to move to another City of Portland location I'll assume Commissioner Sam will have no part in the discussion/voting, correct? Sam, will you come on my show to discuss this? Victoria Taft, 5-8pm, Monday through Friday, on AM 860 KPAM, "The Talk Station" » reply
Ha! It's KPAM SPAM...Sam'sSubmitted by MarkDaMan on Wed, 10/04/2006 - 11:58am.
Ha! It's KPAM SPAM...Sam's got a telephone number and e-mail. You think the best way to schedule an interview is on a blog? Classy! » reply
Yeah...Vicki's got a lot of class...Submitted by Tom Hasselstrom on Wed, 10/04/2006 - 4:36pm.
...it is all low, but there is a LOT of it! » reply
Hi VictoriaSubmitted by Sam Adams on Wed, 10/04/2006 - 1:02pm.
Yes, I enjoy being a guest on your show even if we disagree from time to time. I will call you tommorrow. » reply
Yippee. More crappySubmitted by jack on Wed, 10/04/2006 - 3:24pm.
Yippee. More crappy declining retail at Jantzen beach. Maybe another Hooters? What a success. The yuppies win again. » reply
How are Hooters and WalMartSubmitted by NoPo Neighbor on Tue, 10/10/2006 - 9:28am.
How are Hooters and WalMart different? To me, they both represent the same low moral standards and poor corporate ethics. » reply
careful what you wish forSubmitted by Bruce on Wed, 10/04/2006 - 8:57pm.
It is going to look really bad if Homer wants to start building condos on Hayden Island and the traffic flow suddenly improves. » reply
Condos???Submitted by mmmarvel on Wed, 10/04/2006 - 9:09pm.
Yes, Homer and his buddies will want to build condos, it's a natural and Sam will welcome it, with open arms. However, the traffic will not get better, which is part of the plan. Once the condos are being built and traffic continues to suck the city (and Metro) then throw up their collective arms and cry - we need to expand light rail out to there (THE most expensive mode of transportation). Once all the money folks are out there, then it's time to put in a streetcar out there so they can cruise the little island without polluting it. Of course they won't want to pony up the money, they will expect the city to do that. It will happen in less than 3 years - mark my words. » reply
Bridge across Columbia?Submitted by Greg Tompkins on Mon, 10/23/2006 - 9:38pm.
I doubt there will be a bridge across the Columbia any time in the next 20 years. They'll just find a way to waste everyone's money on pilot studies and glossy brochures. Just look at the mess in Dundee and Newberg. They haven't built the much famed "bypass" in 20 years. This state really needs to get to crackin on new freeway building because it's not going to sustain its economic growth otherwise. I like the paradox of driving around Portland downtown streets where there are potholes every 2-3 feet and the streets are in terrible disrepair but you're sitting right next to a glossy streetcar (that is so speedy you can OUTWALK IT) with people packed in like sardines. » reply
Greg Tompkins >/B> They'llSubmitted by jim karlock on Tue, 10/24/2006 - 1:29am.
Greg Tompkins >/B> They'll just find a way to waste everyone's money on pilot studies and glossy brochures. (The primary goal of big civic projects is not to serve some citizen need, but to spend money so that much of it will end up in their friend’s bank accounts and their campaign’s war chest. If it serves the public, that is a secondary benefit.) Thanks » reply
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Uh huh...
"Wal-Mart's decision not to pursue a new store on Hayden Island... is not a response to Portland Commissioner Sam Adams' proposed temporary development moratorium on the island."
Regardless of what they say, congrats, Sam! I appreciate your advocacy.