Miami: Downtown Wal-Mart draws residents' ire

[thelakelander]

Looking at the rendering, it could be worse.




The Target and Marshalls center that was built on the former FEC Buena Vista railyard in 2006

Got a hankering for opera -- and $29 patio furniture? Miami may soon have just the place for you.

It's the future downtown, where a new Wal-Mart big-box store may rise next to the Adrienne Arsht Center. Yet whether ''new'' translates into ''improved'' is being debated.

If Wal-Mart's plans go forward, it would mark the second time in recent years a big-name, warehouse-style retailer has chosen Miami's urban core. Target opened its Midtown Miami location in 2006.

While Target's arrival was hailed as a redevelopment catalyst, Wal-Mart doesn't boast the same trendiness factor.

And Wal-Mart would occupy a higher-profile location -- one where city leaders have longed to attract sophisticated restaurants and upscale shops. Looking to meld into the community, Wal-Mart is considering a decidedly different look for this store.

The deal isn't final -- Wal-Mart is not yet a committed tenant, and the property in question is still technically owned by The Miami Herald's parent, The McClatchy Co. McClatchy expects its sale of the land, near Biscayne Boulevard and North Bayshore Drive. to close by the end of the year.

Nevertheless, Wal-Mart's interest is serious enough to have sent some residents and government officials into mini-uproar.

''Horrors!!'' resident Sharon Dodge recently wrote to City Hall.

Another resident chimed in: ``There goes the neighborhood!''

And this, from a City Commission aide: ``Visualize a Wal-Mart customer in his pick-up truck, and family of four, driving past tuxedo-clad PAC center guests arriving simultaneously.''

The views may be extreme, but they reflect the bubbling concern over the big company's plans.

Lost in this sense of dread is the fact that downtown's Wal-Mart, if it happens, would not resemble the chain's other South Florida stores.

The retail development Wal-Mart would help anchor, City Square, is designed by Miami's world-renowned Arquitectonica firm. Though it's meant to attract big-box retail tenants, City Square also aims to be elegant and pedestrian-friendly.

''People coming to the performing arts center will have the opportunity to shop and eat and make their evening event something that's enjoyable,'' said City Square developer Mark Siffin, who described the project's design as having a ``timeless quality.''

Siffin declined comment on which retailers would occupy his project.

Michelle Azel Belaire, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman, called the downtown corridor ``a predominantly underserved market.''

''At this time, however, we do not have any agreements,'' she added in a statement.

``We continue to explore all of our options.''

It's unclear what type of store format Wal-Mart would pursue downtown -- whether it would go with its traditional discount department store offerings or its smaller, ''neighborhood market'' concept that focuses on groceries but also includes general merchandise.

Either way, Wal-Mart could be occupying pricey real estate, with City Square set to rise only a block from the bay.

Miami City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, who represents much of downtown, cringes at the thought of a ``Wal-Mart on the waterfront.''

Though it was Sarnoff's aide, Peter Ehrlich, who decribed the chain's customers as ''pickup truck'' drivers, Sarnoff denies cultural elitism is motivating his opposition.

''I've seen a lot of BMWs and Mercedes in the parking lot of Wal-Mart,'' Sarnoff said.

What you won't see, according to the commissioner, are a lot of people walking to the store -- making Wal-Mart a bad fit for the city's goal of building foot traffic downtown.

Sarnoff also cites Wal-Mart's heavy reliance on foreign-made products as another reason he won't be shopping there if the downtown location is indeed built.

''If we don't want to outsource our jobs, we should do a better job of buying American,'' Sarnoff said.

There have been other criticisms of Wal-Mart over the years. Among them: allegations the company underpays its workers, and the characterization of Wal-Mart as a retail bully.

The opening of a Wal-Mart, conventional wisdom goes, inevitably leads local, beloved mom-and-pop businesses to go under.

Wal-Mart has argued that it treats its workers better than other retailers. The company also launched small business outreach in some urban areas.

And a funny thing happened in recent months.

As the U.S. economy continued to tank, Wal-Mart's sales figures steadily rose.

The numbers provided a reminder of the increased buying power Wal-Mart gives the working class -- in hard times, a trip to Wal-Mart can be the only way for some to pay for life's basic necessities.

Drive inland from downtown's proposed Wal-Mart, just a mile or two, and it's easy to find Miamians living paycheck-to-paycheck.

Closer to the Wal-Mart site, though, are the condo dwellers, some of whom paid top dollar for their penthouse views.

Fred Joseph, who lives in The Grand condo tower down the block, has mixed feelings about Wal-Mart. He's fearful it will hurt property values, and so he doesn't want it to come.

Yet Joseph readily admits he'd shop there.

''I love Wal-Mart,'' Joseph said.

At minimum, Joseph says he hopes the developers find a way to make Wal-Mart attractive.

Ben Fernandez, an attorney with the development team, said he believes this store is ``going to be different''

''All of these big-box retailers are morphing in big cities, and catering to all walks of society,'' Fernandez said. ``You have Home Depot in Manhattan with a doorman.''

http://www.miamiherald.com/460/story/621355.html

[reednavy]

Ok, Target and Home Depot are very reputable companies, Wal-Mart, makes me sick. I hate them, and I seriously doubt a downtown Miami Wal-Mart anyways. The person that said the pickup truck comment, is complete close-minded ass.

[uptowngirl]

Wal-Mart is funny. People, who state they hate Wal-Mart, fight to keep them out tooth and nails are some of the first to shop there when opened. I have seen this time and again. I have heard the arguments "if Home Depot opens up our local hardware store will go under", "Wal-Mart will shut down the mom and pop grocery on the corner", in some cases this does in fact occur, in others where the local business owner is a smart business person, they adapt, change and stay successful. My step grandfather owns a local hardware store where Home Depot moved in, he was worried about his business, and he changed, adapted, and offered unique services along with a concentration on the customer and their needs. He is even more successful now that Home Depot has opened up. As long as the big box store works at blending into or enhancing the area who cares if they open up? Opening a Wal-Mart or target downtown would be a phenomenal opportunity for downtown JAX, and imo would be a lot better than the current vagrant outdoor toilet and housing, or vacant buildings currently there...

[jbm32206]

As long as the big box store works at blending into or enhancing the area who cares if they open up? Opening a Wal-Mart or target downtown would be a phenomenal opportunity for downtown JAX, and imo would be a lot better than the current vagrant outdoor toilet and housing, or vacant buildings currently there...

You said it, and couldn't agree more. I don't see what the problem is that people have with Walmart...if you really don't like the store, don't shop there...but there's plenty of others that do. I also wouldn't mind seeing one downtown, or any of the larger stores, at least we'd have something down there.

[RiversideGator]

I would love to see any sort of big box retail in downtown Jax.  Almost anything is better than no retail.  However, as for the Miami store, I agree that next to the new opera may not be the best location.

[Eazy E]

As long as the big box store works at blending into or enhancing the area who cares if they open up? Opening a Wal-Mart or target downtown would be a phenomenal opportunity for downtown JAX, and imo would be a lot better than the current vagrant outdoor toilet and housing, or vacant buildings currently there...

You said it, and couldn't agree more. I don't see what the problem is that people have with Walmart...if you really don't like the store, don't shop there...but there's plenty of others that do. I also wouldn't mind seeing one downtown, or any of the larger stores, at least we'd have something down there.

I don't like Wal- Mart and I never shop there except when totally, emergency-time unavoidable.
The reasons people don't like Wal-mart:
1) because, though it literally makes billions of dollars, it's health care policy is to keep workers low enough on hours so they don't qualify for WM health insurance and the workers then end up on pulic assistance for health care.
2) Did you not see where they were recenlt cited for literally like 6,000 (or maybe it was 6,000,000-- some huge number) of deliberate labor violations like not paying overtime, not even paying for actual non-overtime work, etc.
3) they literally locked janitors in their stores overnight.
4) those "low prices" they have, how do you think they get them? Chinese slave labor.
5)  (and this is just personal for/to me) Though the Walton family is unbelievably filthy rich for every generation to come, they are not charitable at all.  One of the things I personally look forward to shoudl I ever become even 1/10000th as rich as these people is the charitable giving it will allow me to do. So, from my own perspective, this is disgusting.
6) they will do any and every thing in their power to squash their workers from starting unions. this is anti-american to me.

[uptowngirl]

EasyE again you and I agree on most of the items you listed (except the Union, I don’t like unions and think there is no longer a place for them anymore. I state this from the perspective of having family members in unions, you wouldn't believe how a union perpetuates laziness on behalf of the members), and particular to Jacksonville, some members of the Walton family own the Flagship properties that are NOTORIOUS for violence and crime.

That being said, I got to live too and I will shop at Wal-Mart or Target, or any of the big boxes if they have what I need at an acceptable price. I don't like that my doctor provides abortions (although I think it is up to each individual to decide and do not support making it illegal) but I still go to see my doctor...

I support any big box that would open in downtown Jacksonville

[jbm32206]

I didn't say that I'm a supporter of how lousy Walmart treats their employees...I'm just in favor of a business coming to downtown. I agree that WM and the Walton family are bottom dwellers when it comes to employee care/treatment. As for blocking their efforts to join a union....they could if they wanted...and I'm a supporter of unions.

[Jason]

It would be great is Jacksonville was the subject of this article instead of Miami.

[thelakelander]

If it were Jax, I don't think they would recieve as many complaints.    We'd jump up and down for a Downtown Walgreens or CVS, much less a full blown big box anchor.  Miami, on the other hand, has department stores like Burdines still in business in their downtown.

[Eazy E]

EasyE again you and I agree on most of the items you listed (except the Union, I don;t like unions and think there is no longer a place for them anymore. I state this from the perspective of having family members in unions, you wouldn't believe how a union perpeuates laziness on behalf of the members), and particular to Jacksonville, some members of the Wlaton family own the Flagship properties that are NOTORIOUS for violence and crime.

That being said, I got to live too and I will shop at Walmart or Target, or any of the big boxes if they have what I need at an acceptable price. I don't like that my doctor provides abortions (although I think it is up to each individual to decide and do not support making it illegal) but I still go to see my doctor...

I support any big box that would open in downtown Jacksonville

Fair enough. Like most have said, anything is better than nothing.  And, I do kind of agree with you about unions, but, as it stands, they are legal and have, in the past, been very vital organizations.

[avonjax]

I hate Wal-Mart and I too am one of those who go there out of shear emergency. I wouldn't hate the store nearly as much if they weren't filled with crap and keep teaching Americans to love crap. If you know how to shop you can but much better clothing at a much better price if you look for sales at the better department stores or even some of the chains. The die hard Wal-Mart shoppers insist how cheap they are on everything, but you can get many of the goods in other stores if you KNOW HOW TO SHOP for bargins. And call me a snob but very few Wal-Marts, although I know there are a handful locally, are anything but magnets for litterers. The Normandy, 103rd, Lem Turner and ocasionally the RiverCity MP stores are trash dumps. Their customers trash up the place and it's disgusting. They build ugly stores and on the rare occasion they build a nice looking one, the one near Regency, the interior is just as hideous as the crappy ones. I'm afraid if a Wal-Mart opened downtown it would be a magnet for every vagrant and become as big a garbage dump as the ones I mentioned above. Don't ask me why but WMs tend to draw people who believe it's okay to litter and dump you old tires, every fast food container on earth and even dirty diapers.
On the other hand, most Targets don't suffer this fate. They make their stores look inviting and clean on the inside and they have very good prices. I would welcome with open arms a downtown Target.....

[jbm32206]

If given the choice, I'd certainly rather have a Target than a WM downtown...

[Eazy E]

And, one more reason to hate Wal-Mart.  Regardless of your political persuasion, this is disgusting and anti-American.

Wal-Mart -- the country's largest private employer -- is holding mandatory meetings for its store managers and department supervisors, who are being warned about the potential dangers of a Democratic win this fall, the Wall Street Journal's Ann Zimmerman and Kris Maher report.

"The Wal-Mart human-resources managers who run the meetings don't specifically tell attendees how to vote in November's election, but make it clear that voting for Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama would be tantamount to inviting unions in," Zimmerman and Maher write. They quote one anonymous Wal-Mart customer-service supervisor as saying:

The meeting leader said, "I am not telling you how to vote, but if the Democrats win, this bill will pass and you won't have a vote on whether you want a union." I am not a stupid person. They were telling me how to vote.

[uptowngirl]

EasyE- you may be shocked to know how many corporations do basically the same thing. Although it has been my experience they try to make statement about actual initiatives rather than nominees. In one way shape or form pretty much all corporations do this. In fact they even ask their associates to donate money for lobbying.