Walmart has gone through all of the proper procedures to secure the necessary permits to build this facility, and normally they would proceed with their plans. But most of the neighbors who live adjacent to the proposed store are very opposed to the project. They had believed that the site would contain a strip mall, offering shopping at a collection of retail and service outlets. Any one can understand their concern. But rules are rules, and Walmart has followed them all.
So where is the answer to this dilemna? It is strictly up to Walmart, as they hold all the cards in this deal.
They have 3 other stores in Lincoln, and Lincoln has accepted them quite well. This now gives them an opportunity to show that they care about the Lincoln community, and that the public perception of the company may be just as important as insisting on this particular location.
So they will decide. Their decision will tell us all about the priorities they have at Walmart. And we will have to respond however we see fit. Are we going to carry a grudge, or will we try to work with them to find a solution we can all live with.
I hope it can be solved at the discussion level rather than lead to long lasting bad feelings. Surely there are other solutions, such as a smaller store, along with other services and retailers.
I’m Roger Larson, and that’s the way I see it.
E-Mail
Print
