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Hercules thinks outside the big-box - City changes image by using eminent domain to thwart Wal-Mart
Contra Costa Times ^ | 5/28/6 | Tom Lochner

Posted on 05/28/2006 7:52:10 PM PDT by SmithL

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To: SmithL

I hope that Wal-Mart uses its considerable legal capabilities to to develop a study that shows the very high (inflated?) value of that property so that it nearly breaks the budget of the city when they have to buy it out (high powered attorneys in court and all that). Then Wal-Mart can build next door in the next town and thumb their nose at the idiots in Hercules as their residents (and tax dollars) are shifted to friendly neighbors.

Socialist idiots.


21 posted on 05/28/2006 9:25:30 PM PDT by SoCal_Republican
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To: KellyAdmirer

I bet Walmart bought the land (or an option) for a low price, and then got reimbursed after the eminent domain fiasco at a higher price.

The city tax payers get shafted by the elitists. Again!


22 posted on 05/28/2006 9:25:56 PM PDT by Donald Meaker (Demographics is Destiny!)
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To: BlazingArizona

I don't!

Tried it a couple of times, bought a digital camera there, then when it needed a battery they did not carry them.

Typical of them, they have no real concern with customer service.

If you read the entire article you should have noticed that WM insisted on a building far larger than the zoning ordinance allowed, again typical of their corporate conceit.

Locally the county commissioners spent three million on land improvements to entice WM into our county, sweetening the deal with a decade of tax deferments.
Now our "down town" is being talked about as an area in need of "redevelopment".
Prior to WM it was healthy.
The pols whore for WM because all they really care about is the sales tax revenue to grow their bureaucracies.


23 posted on 05/28/2006 9:28:25 PM PDT by Richard-SIA ("The natural progress of things is for government to gain ground and for liberty to yield" JEFFERSON)
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To: Richard-SIA

How dare you bad mouth wal-mart. Don't you realize that the wal-mart apologists will rise up and beat you down with pointy sticks? Don't you realize that not liking wa-mart makes you an elitist or worse? And most of all, don't you understand that resistance is futile?


24 posted on 05/28/2006 9:31:53 PM PDT by durasell (!)
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To: durasell

Ah well, now you see why I have several machine guns! ;-)


25 posted on 05/28/2006 9:46:52 PM PDT by Richard-SIA ("The natural progress of things is for government to gain ground and for liberty to yield" JEFFERSON)
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To: Richard-SIA

Ah well, now you see why I have several machine guns! ;-)



Your machine guns are useless against their legions in polyester smocks and smiley faces. Surrender to everyday low prices!


26 posted on 05/28/2006 9:48:29 PM PDT by durasell (!)
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To: durasell
"How dare you bad mouth wal-mart. Don't you realize that the wal-mart apologists will rise up and beat you down with pointy sticks? Don't you realize that not liking wa-mart makes you an elitist or worse? And most of all, don't you understand that resistance is futile?"



Not liking WalMart, or any other store, is not a problem. There's a lot of stores to shop in. Stealing land from a business because you don't like it is a big problem, and regardless of what SCOTUS said, it is clearly unconstitutional.
In socialist countries people demand that only the businesses that most people want should exist, and as they're controlled by the government, that is what they get. Is this really where you want to be?

I'm not an apologist for WalMart, they can take care of themselves. I am, however, a champion of private property rights for American businesses and American citizens.
27 posted on 05/28/2006 10:00:13 PM PDT by Prokopton
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To: SmithL
Based on the hearing testimony, WalMart could probably win a court case to overturn the fraudulent eminent domain decision but why go where they aren't wanted? Build outside the town boundary and suck out whatever remaining sales tax revenue the town might have.
28 posted on 05/28/2006 10:04:43 PM PDT by NonValueAdded ("Too soon to remember??? How about TOO SOON TO FORGET!" from Mr. Silverback)
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To: Prokopton

Obviously a desperation move. It will be interesting to see if other communities use the same tactic.


29 posted on 05/28/2006 10:05:57 PM PDT by durasell (!)
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To: citizenK
The clever leaders of Hercules lose out further growth generated by the Walmart anchor, and they lose any share of sales taxes that the neighboring town will now enjoy.

No, the clever leaders of Hercules preserve the small town character of their "new urbanism" redevelopment plan, and will enjoy a more durable and desirable mix of property and sales taxes generated from it. They also get a boatload of free publicity for their city by standing up to the Big Box and winning. Hard to see the downside of their decision.

30 posted on 05/28/2006 10:08:35 PM PDT by mac_truck ( Aide toi et dieu l’aidera)
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To: mac_truck

No, the clever leaders of Hercules preserve the small town character of their "new urbanism" redevelopment plan, and will enjoy a more durable and desirable mix of property and sales taxes generated from it. They also get a boatload of free publicity for their city by standing up to the Big Box and winning. Hard to see the downside of their decision.


Basically they said: no white trash, please. we're classy.


31 posted on 05/28/2006 10:10:40 PM PDT by durasell (!)
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To: SmithL
They have decided to deny their residents their freedom of choice... right?

This debate was around in the 19teens with Sears and others accused of the same things.

Its a debate between efficiency and inefficiency and allowing people to choose where they spend their money

32 posted on 05/28/2006 10:29:36 PM PDT by GeronL
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To: FlingWingFlyer

"We don't want you and others paying lower prices" so sayeth the elites


33 posted on 05/28/2006 10:30:14 PM PDT by GeronL
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To: SmithL

Just don't mess with my local Walmart. I happen to be fond of clothes and food, and I wouldn't take kindly to any Liberal nonsense like this.


34 posted on 05/28/2006 10:30:57 PM PDT by Nova
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To: Richard-SIA
When WM achieves the sort of market dominance they are striving for, watch what happens to those "low prices"!

Then a competitor will beat them. Wal-Mart started with one store you know.

Amazing how many FReepers loathe the free market. I didn't mean you specifically.

35 posted on 05/28/2006 10:32:01 PM PDT by GeronL
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To: Nova
Damned Capitalist!
; )
36 posted on 05/28/2006 10:37:18 PM PDT by SmithL (I voted)
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To: GeronL
Amazing how many FReepers loathe the free market. I didn't mean you specifically



This is a story you have to read between the lines. The developer comes in and promises an upscale, attractive shopping district. The city okays the deal, then, feeling fiesty, they okay a deal with Wal-Mart.

The developer -- from past experience and/or previous studies -- sees the per square foot rental potential on its property plummet with the Wal-Mart deal and leans on the city via citizens.
37 posted on 05/28/2006 10:37:41 PM PDT by durasell (!)
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To: durasell

I wasn't referring to anything specific in the article. I don't think cities should give tax incentives and subsidies to companies they don't give to the companies already there.


38 posted on 05/28/2006 10:40:18 PM PDT by GeronL
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To: GeronL

I wasn't referring to anything specific in the article. I don't think cities should give tax incentives and subsidies to companies they don't give to the companies already there.




Dude, there are places in this country so hard up for businesses that they're giving them free land. There are cities in a de-population crisis. States are fighting over Japanese car companies like rabid dogs.


39 posted on 05/28/2006 10:42:56 PM PDT by durasell (!)
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To: SmithL
But residents quickly made it clear they did not want a Wal-Mart near the Hercules waterfront.

Then zone them, and any other similar businesses out. Do not use the power to take the land from it's current owner, using the money taken from the taxpayers (and probably paying less than WalMart, or even some other business, would have).

Unless they intend to make the land into a park, a city dump, or use it for other public purposes, this is a misuse of the power of eminent domain.

40 posted on 05/28/2006 10:46:03 PM PDT by El Gato
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