Answers: Another Wal-Mart

Are you ready for another Wal-Mart?

What should the city and developers do regarding the proposed fourth Wal-mart in the Cedar Rapids metro?

FROM OUR INBOX

It is our hope the city and developer would reconsider the proposed Wal-Mart. The residents of this area are currently being well served in their purchases of fresh food, pharmacy items and fuel by existing businesses. These are all located with 1.3 miles of the proposed site. The city has three Wal-Marts conveniently located throughout the metro area. An additional one is not needed.

The Ridge Condominium Association

Cedar Rapids

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We don't need another Wal-Mart. They are eliminating health care coverage for their part time employees. They are a terrible corporate citizen.

Cheri P.

Cedar Rapids

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East Post is one of the few scenic residential roads left. The north side of Mount Vernon Road at the intersection of East Post is entirely residential with heavily wooded, beautiful properties. All of this would be ruined by the placement of a Wal-Mart or any other large shopping complex. I applaud Hy-Vee's current $12 million upgrade and cannot imagine that we now need a Wal-Mart two blocks away.

From my house in the Green Valley subdivision, I can drive to Wal-Mart in Marion in about 10 minutes. I can reach all three area Wal-Marts in 20 minutes or less. This community, which has struggled to build a wonderful, new and unique identity after the 2008 flood, does not need more big box stores. We need smarter developments that will add creatively to our exciting, revitalized community.

Terry P.

Cedar Rapids

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I think three Wal-Marts and a Sam's Club should be enough for a town our size. Besides, how much more profit do they need? Wal-Mart wants to set up next to a newly refurbished Hy-Vee to cut in on their earnings. Hy-Vee's corporate office is in Iowa so I say we support local business.

Leon S.

Cedar Rapids

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FROM FACEBOOK

' Anthony B.:

We don't have the demographics to sustain another.

' Janice C..:

How many is enough? Find something different to interest the populace.

' Jim B.:

If the market is there, they will build. If you dislike, shop elsewhere.

' Susie B.:

How many Hy-Vee, Drugtown, Walgreens, CVS are located all over Cedar Rapids and Marion? We don't even question when those stores are put in multiple locations? Why the opposition about Wal-Mart besides prejudice?

' Keith S.:

If they do not want to pay decent wages nor be an asset to the community, they can find a different city to put it in.

' Sara R.:

The land is not zoned for a Wal-Mart, unlike the other three in the CR metro area the proposed location is in a primarily residential neighborhood. I would not want a Costco in that location either because it would destroy a residential neighborhood. I love Costco, it is a wonderful employer and I routinely travel to Coralville to shop there. It would be great to have a Costco closer to CR, but, as much as I love Costco (or loathe Wal-Mart) the overwhelming problem with this location is the surrounding streets can't handle the traffic, and it would ruin a nice residential SE CR neighborhood.

' Sindy C.:

Why do we need another Wal-Mart? We have three supercenters already.

' Dawn S.:

If they would open more than two registers at the stores we have now, there would be no need for more stores.

' Kathy K.:

A brewery with good food would be nice on our side of town. We have to drive miles to eat at a nice place.

' Dan H.:

I would be interested to see the economic impact all the Wal-Marts have brought into the community as well as how many people use other businesses as part of their Wal-Mart shopping experience. The city recently used rhetoric of 'job creation” regarding the casino, yet wants to balk at a Fortune 500 company from doing business in this economy. Furthermore, I would be interested in the increase of land value in that region if Wal-Mart builds.

' Jennifer P.:

I don't shop there currently, and this new store won't change my habits. I don't think the city of CR is stifling growth of other markets. If multiple businesses were interested in the land, by all means let's explore the options. If there are no other interests at this time, then sell the land and let Wal-Mart hire a couple hundred more people in our area. Low paying jobs are better than no job at all, yes?

' Ben E.:

Breaking: CR City Council interested in stifling free-market enterprise; putting stop to capitalism.

' Adam S.:

The intersection of East Post and Mt Vernon Rd is not built for the traffic congestion this would cause.

' Nic F.:

Bring something new to town. Something that attracts new residents that we want in our community.

' Danielle P.:

We have other retailers that treat their employees better and pay them a living wage. We don't need this company here. I would really like to see an IKEA in that location.

' Bryan G.:

Do nothing. Let the free market decide.

' Martha T.:

The proposed location is a poor one due to traffic issues and how it would affect the character of the neighborhood.

' Frank F.:

My vote is for Trader Joe's. It fits the SE side of Cedar Rapids' wine and cheese crowd.

' Kelsey F.:

No need for one right next to a newly expanded and remodeled Hy-Vee.

' Elizabeth N.:

Respect the wildlife right there. Build something local. Please don't turn that beautiful area into a monstrous parking lot and big box store. I absolutely wouldn't even drive that direction any more.

' Mary D.:

Yes. Then I don't have to drive to get to Wal-Mart, and maybe prices will go down elsewhere.

' Gina L.:

Can't we find some other use for the property other than another big box store? Why not put in the water park out there? We need something for families other than shopping.

' Mike O.:

I'm for free markets, but this will be awful for traffic and anyone living anywhere near there.

' Bobby L.:

We need a center on the southwest side to save on travel, provide some competition to the Mount Vernon Road area and promote development. Now that the packing plant is closing, this is a very attractive area for growth that is being left out of city planning.

' Pat G.:

I would shop there for household goods. Many jobs are still needed in CR.

' Sara L.:

There is a Supercenter Wal-Mart approximately 4.5 miles from the proposed site. Considering the proximity there is no need to build another one. The land in question should be used for something that will further develop the area for the benefit of the residents that currently live there.

' Rachel M.:

Which other businesses, specifically, have shown interest in this particular piece of land in the past five years or so?

' Dale N.:

Let business decide.

' Shane P.:

Who cares? It's their money. In my opinion, it's crazy they want to build another one.

' Joyanna M.:

We are we looking at Wal-Mart different then we do Hy-Vee and the Mini Drug Hy-Vee stores? Let them spend their money building in our city the way they want to, how do we really lose?

' John S.:

People keep referring to this land as a residential neighborhood and that it would destroy many trees. On the south side of Mount Vernon from 40th east is mostly commercial and the land has been a dumping ground for unneeded soil for many years.

' Ginny D.:

With the price of gas the way it is, why not have a Wal-Mart closer?

' Holly H.:

It would be one big traffic jam.

' Dallas W.:

Wal-Mart is the worst place I've ever shopped at and don't shop there anymore. By far, the worst customer service in so many ways. I'd rather spend more money somewhere else that has better service.

' Jane G.:

It would hurt other businesses

' Christine O.:

I frequently shop at Wal-Mart and think we have plenty for a city our size.

' Troy C.:

Unfortunately I'm not rich enough to buy cheap stuff.

' Jeannie N.:

I think it would be a traffic nightmare building Wal-Mart on an already busy street plus we have enough WALMARTS in our city.

' Lindsey M.:

Cedar Rapids should fight for us to be more creative here. My suggestion would be more family- or kid-friendly things, like a museum such as a planetarium, aquarium, Rain Forest Cafe Restaurant or indoor water park.

' Shawn W.:

I like Wal-Mart, but we have enough of them already.

' Cid H.:

Leave some green spaces.