August 21, 2012 08:15 PM UTC

Poll: Should Denver Have a Wal-Mart Development at 8th and Colorado?

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• by: Colorado Pols

The development of Wal-Mart and other so-called “big box stores” is generally one of the most contentious zoning issues any city has to navigate.

Neighborhood opponents of these stores rely on the same three talking points: Wal-Mart is governed by an inhumane corporate culture focused solely on the bottom-line, building a Wal-Mart will shutter many small and locally owned businesses in a variety of industries, and the concomitant traffic increase will create safety and crime issues while lowering property values.

Supporters, meanwhile, usually point to the hundreds of jobs created by any one neighborhood Wal-Mart. They also emphasize that the huge parcels of property occupied by a big box retailer would generally be left blighted or otherwise derelict, and developing Wal-Mart as an “anchor store” creates space for other businesses to flourish. Not to mention the increased tax revenue spilling into city coffers as a result of both Wal-Mart development and sales.

In the case of the proposed Wal-Mart at 8th and Colorado, both sides are parroting their perspectives, as Fox31 reports:

Congress Park residents got a chance Wednesday evening to hear more about a proposed development that would put a Walmart in their neighborhood. The 28-acre residential/retail project would fill the area formerly occupied by the C.U. Health Sciences Center between 8th and 10th Avenues just east of Colorado Blvd.

Several hundred residents packed a room at National Jewish Health to hear representatives of Fuqua Development and Walmart outline details of the plan. The Walmart store would be three-quarters the size of one of its traditional superstores. It would include underground parking and other amenities that a spokesman said would represent a good fit for the neighborhood.

“Once people see the different concept that we have here, that it’s not a suburban store but more of an urban concept, they’re much more understanding and willing to consider supporting the idea,” said Joshua Phair, Walmart’s Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations.

Many residents worry that the Walmart will increase traffic headaches. They also criticize the company’s labor and business practices. One woman said the neighborhood wants “good sustainable well-paying jobs for our neighbors and none of these are values that Walmart stands for.”

Although Congress Park residents will be adversely impacted by many of the negative elements of a neighborhood Wal-Mart, the benefits — and yes, there are some — will be shared by Denver at-large.

As such, we want to hear from you. Do you think the Denver City Council should approve tax increment financing for a Wal-Mart store at 8th and Colorado, thereby ensuring its development? In other words, do you think Denver should be getting a Wal-Mart?

A poll follows.

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