OVERVIEW
- Wal-Mart has signed a 90-year lease with a developer to build a multi-level store at 8300
SE McLoughlin (at the SE corner of Tacoma & McLoughlin).
- Neighbors Against a Sellwood/Ardenwald Wal-Mart (NASAW) organized to stop
Wal-Mart from developing a property in Sellwood/Ardenwald. If developed, local residents
would witness a significant increase in traffic, a struggling local economy, labor issues,
environmental impact and more. The Wal-Mart proposal is incompatible with our vision of a
community that is friendly to local business, working families, pedestrians and cyclists, and a
healthy, sustainable environment.
IMPACT
Traffic & Transportation
- The Tacoma Street Plan (which calls for traffic calming) would be defeated.
- Increased traffic on Tacoma, the Sellwood Bridge and Hwy 99 would cause traffic jams.
Automobiles would seek escape through our pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods disrupting
livability and safety.
- After extensive public input and work with neighborhood associations, TriMet
planned the property at Tacoma and McLoughlin for a future light-rail park and ride station.
Unfortunately, Tri-Met has not had the funds to secure this location. The potential loss of
this transportation hub would have a serious impact on the future growth of the area.
Economy & Jobs
- “I oppose it [Wal-Mart] based on merit,” said Sam Adams. “Everyday low prices are achieved on the backs of the workers and taxpayers.”
- Wal-Mart’s pricing and purchasing practices will pose a serious risk to local businesses that can’t compete with the big company’s price reduction methods. Local family- and pet-oriented businesses are part of the reason we chose to live here.
- Wal-Mart workers must rely on public health care and other social services to survive. Taxpayers pay for these services, not Wal-Mart.
Social & Environmental Responsibility
- Wal-Mart is anti-worker. In the two cases where Wal-Mart workers have voted for a union, the company has shut down the store and laid off all the workers.
- Wal-Mart factories overseas engage in unethical and unfair practices to keep prices low. When Wal-Mart uses domestic suppliers, they demand such low rates that the suppliers must cut back the wages and benefits of their own workers. In one instance, Rubbermaid, such demands closed down the business.
- The construction of a Wal-Mart on the proposed site would increase traffic congestion on a highway that already exceeds its capacity, eroding public safety and adding to a buildup of air and noise pollution.
TO DATE
- As of December 1, 2006, Wal-Mart has not yet filed an application with the City of Portland.
- Nelson Development Company of Portland has already razed the existing structure on the site.
|