Chicago, IL -
Reports that retailer Wal-Mart could open a store in the Lakeview neighborhood has activists lining up against the world's largest retailer.
Crain's Chicago Business reports that a letter of intent has been signed by Wal-Mart to place a 30,000 square feet neighborhood market in a location near Clark and Broadway, one of the busiest intersections in Chicago. Wal-Mart Thursday would not confirm that any agreement was reached.
The Lakeview Chamber of Commerce is opposed to a Wal-Mart of any size in the neighborhood. The major concern from Lakeview businesses and activists is the already crowded intersection where the retailer would locate would further aggravate traffic and parking problems and the fact that there are two other existing grocery stores within blocks.
The Lakeview store would be among the several dozen outlets Wal-Mart has said it plans to open in Chicago over the next five years. Walmart has been at odds with the city for years engaging in battles with local unions and Chicago aldermen over employee wages and benefits.
Alderman Tom Tunney was blindsided by the news.
"I have recently heard that Wal-Mart may be interested in renting a location here in the 44th Ward. I have not seen any conceptual plans for a proposed store in Lakeview. If any plans come forward, it will be vetted through a rigorous community process." Tunney said on his web site Thursday. "As a small business owner, I understand the impact any big-box retailer would have on our neighborhood. We will work together, residents and businesses, to continue to make our community a better place to live, raise a family, shop and own a business."
Historically, aldermen have control over zoning issues within their wards, but today that precedent was broken in Lincoln Park when the city's zoning department approved major changes, backed by Mayor Daley, to the old Lincoln Park Hospital property over the objections of retiring 43rd ward Alderman Vi Daley.
Crain's Chicago Business reports that a letter of intent has been signed by Wal-Mart to place a 30,000 square feet neighborhood market in a location near Clark and Broadway, one of the busiest intersections in Chicago. Wal-Mart Thursday would not confirm that any agreement was reached.
The Lakeview Chamber of Commerce is opposed to a Wal-Mart of any size in the neighborhood. The major concern from Lakeview businesses and activists is the already crowded intersection where the retailer would locate would further aggravate traffic and parking problems and the fact that there are two other existing grocery stores within blocks.
The Lakeview store would be among the several dozen outlets Wal-Mart has said it plans to open in Chicago over the next five years. Walmart has been at odds with the city for years engaging in battles with local unions and Chicago aldermen over employee wages and benefits.
Alderman Tom Tunney was blindsided by the news.
"I have recently heard that Wal-Mart may be interested in renting a location here in the 44th Ward. I have not seen any conceptual plans for a proposed store in Lakeview. If any plans come forward, it will be vetted through a rigorous community process." Tunney said on his web site Thursday. "As a small business owner, I understand the impact any big-box retailer would have on our neighborhood. We will work together, residents and businesses, to continue to make our community a better place to live, raise a family, shop and own a business."
Historically, aldermen have control over zoning issues within their wards, but today that precedent was broken in Lincoln Park when the city's zoning department approved major changes, backed by Mayor Daley, to the old Lincoln Park Hospital property over the objections of retiring 43rd ward Alderman Vi Daley.
