Does "big box" retail fit in a small town?

["cpeo@cpeo.org" <cpeo@cpeo.org>]

Eureka, CA is located 300 miles north of San Francisco.  This AP article
brings of up interesting issues for this small town. 

a) the town's economy is traditionally dependent on natural resources
b) the property is one of the last redvelopable waterfront areas
c) All 11 bids on the property were from retailers
d) Wal-Mart is the first company with the "... wherewithal to do something"

Tony C.



For the complete article go to:
http://biz.yahoo.com/apf/990823/wal_mart_w_1.html
Monday August 23, 2:49 am Eastern Time


"Calif. Residents To Vote on Wal-Mart" 
(excerpts)

By KIM CURTIS 
Associated Press Writer

EUREKA, Calif. (AP) -- "The landscape doesn't look like a bellwether for a
town's future -- 32 scruffy, polluted acres surrounded by industrial
buildings, abandoned warehouses and
some old, rusty railroad tracks."

Wal-Mart officials want to build a mega-store on the site. They are asking
the 28,000 residents "... to decide the issue with the future in mind."

"The land in question has sat idle since Union Pacific Railroad shut down
its engine turnaround area two decades ago. Residents rarely visit the
area, which serves as a camping spot for the homeless."

Opponents of Wal-Mart want the city to build a deep-water, commercial port
and feel the company has "bullied" its way onto the ballot.
 
"If nothing else, the fight has sparked debate in a city whose economy --
built on the timber and fishing industries -- has stagnated in recent
years. Nearly two dozen stores are vacant at the city's Bayshore Mall and
boarded up storefronts take up several blocks downtown."

Complete article
http://biz.yahoo.com/apf/990823/wal_mart_w_1.html