Did you know that, according to Wal-Mart's store locator, there are already 15 Wal-Marts in a 50 mile radius from Blacksburg? 7 within 30 miles? 4 within 20 miles? 2 within 10 miles? and 1 within 5 miles?
To quote Devin
Stone [from an op-ed to appear in the Apr 10 Collegiate Times], "This ordinance has the potential to help protect our community, by requiring that retail stores over 80,000 square feet to obtain a special permit. The adoption of this ordinance would further help ensure that future development is done in a way that is sustainable and beneficial to this town. This is the least we can ask for, and seems to be something that many on both sides of the political spectrum believe to be a fair cause."
This would completely ruin the charm of Blacksburg. Not to mention completely decimate the already floundering local businesses.
Also, do we really want to promote such a traffic increase right next to an elementary school?
There's a Wal-Mart in Christiansburg, which is close enough. Local independent businesses in my hometown went out of business left and right when Wal-Mart opened up three years ago. The amount of land that's gone (and going) to retailers that followed is astounding. The development will not end with Wal-Mart.
Far more powerful than protesting, we as consumers need to put our money where our mouth is and invest in the local economy. We may say we're in favor of maintaining "local charm" but are we consistently willing to pay extra for it? If Blacksburg were demonstrated to be a vibrant place for small retailers, big-box stores wouldn't find a market here and ordinances like this would be moot.
I am a retailer that has been in Blacksburg for 18 years.A box store in town would put many of my retail items available including my higher priced items.I support Ordinance 1450.
Why in the world do we need another Walmart in the proximity for? Support your local independent businesses instead! It's depressing to see all these empty buildings Downtown with for rent sign on the windows.
The many voices of our community, especially the tax paying citizens should be heard loud and clear. I fully support 1450 and furthermore support our local shops who provide the heart and character of Blacksburg. Lets not allow big box stores to destroy the character of our town. Restore and support our downtown merchants. The new site plan is quite frightening to me. I am also curious to find out what happened to the original plan from Fall 2006 which had that area reserved for future RESIDENTIAL development. I agree that it sounds like a bait and switch operation.
There is already a Walmart w/in 10 min drive. Any thing needed from a WalMart can be obtained from local business in B'burg. Keep B'burg culturally rich and not materialistically cheap. If one chooses to patronize WalMart for the price, they can choose from others w/in the region.
Not only is the potential Wal-Mart a bad idea (or any other big box store), but the need for a local movie theater/bowling alley is not necessary. I've heard too many disturbing rumors about retail businesses in the town of Blacksburg. Christiansburg is close enough. Let Blacksburg maintain it's small town appeal for prospective students and faculty.
One of my favorite things about living in Blacksburg is its local stores downtown. I fear that a big box store (which we already have quite enough of in Christiansburg) will drive these smaller stores out of business. Once they are gone, I will no longer be able to walk to do my shopping and I hate the idea of the pollution that this will cause because of the increase in driving.
Blacksburg must decide what kind of community it wants to be. The Blacksburg I want to live in and want for my children doesn't contain a super wallmart.
I thought the town's development plan was to attract people who could afford to pay $800,000 for a pied-a-terre. Do you think those people will be attracted by the proximity of a MalWart superstore? (I know that I won't go anywhere near it.)
The proposed location of the new Walmart is where the Blacksburg Rugby team has played for decades. It would be so dissapointing to see our community choose cheap commodities over rich communty culture.
The very idea of a Walmart in Blacksburg is obscene. This thing must not be allowed by the Town. Even if there weren't serious concerns regarding whether this type of development is appropriate in b'burg, how can it be possible that a FOURTH one in this area would do well? C'burg, fairlawn, and pulaski are pretty close to b'burg so there seems to be sufficient opportunity to patronize a Walmart around here if one chooses.
Blacksburg does not need a Wal-Mart! It would create horrible traffic, environmental, and economic problems. One of the things I love about Blacksburg is the small town feel, and the unique local businesses. Wal-mart would take away from these businesses and destroy so much of the beauty of Blacksburg.
Are you trying to kill Blacksburg? Starbucks and Blockbuster are doing a pretty good job, they don't need any help. And it's an awful idea to have any store of that size so close to a school, especially an elementary school. You're putting our children, our economy, and our identity at risk. NO WALMART!
Traffic is already increasing in the Blacksburg area, and this will only widen this problem. Christiansburg is only 15 minutes away. Most people would be driving to this shopping center (just as most people drive to Kroger) and therefore will be driving right past our historic downtown district. This would be devestating to the small town feeling of Blacksburg. Let's be unique - keep big block stores out!!
Wal-Mart and other "big box" businesses would take away business from the local shops driving them out of business. That's what happened in my hometown and it will happen again if we get a Wal-Mart.
This Wal Mart would hurt the local businesses that make blacksburg so charming. It would make Blacksburg sprawling like Christiansburg, and a much less attractive place to live.
