[Winona Online Democracy] I have been away from Online for nearly 2 years after changing ISP, only returning recently to view the intriguing WalMart discussion in full bloom. Like Phil Carlson, I too am a city planner. In fact, I was Winona's Director of Planning during the formative days of the Port Authority; and, was actively involved in the creation of the original River Bend (Industrial Park) concept and plan. I must confess that I have been dismayed - like Phil - to see the later stages of the River Bend concept morph into highway oriented big box retail. But, times change, and so do community visions.
I surely second much of what Phil has to say in his closing paragraph regarding the community calling the shots as to the resulting character of any form of land development. Unfortunately, many communities do not feel they have luxury of doing so at the risk of economic stagnation. I really do not think that Winona has reached that stage - where any development is considered positive, regardless of the character of the outcome. WalMart has heard the words "no way" in response to their characterless canned store site designs and architecture. About ten years ago they were sent packing in Plymouth (twice, while I was Community Development Director there); and, in Minnetonka not long thereafter, when they refused to conform to even minor local requirements that would modify their site design and store architecture to create character in keeping with the city's standards. They still have no stores in that market (totaling well over 100,000 people). Another example of WalMart reasonably fitting ( and architecturally benefiting, or at least not degrading) the host community is that of Eden Prairie. While the rumor was that a WalMart project manager got the ax for giving away too much to the City in the store design and site amenities, one has to admit the store (west of the Eden Prairie Mall) does fit the community, and surely is a departure from the usual WalMart edifice. The City would not seem to need a WalMart to get groceries on the East End. But, even if that becomes the only option available, WalMarts need not be the definition of ugly. It takes a tight City Code, and support for your local planning staff to call the site/building shots in the best interests of the City - at the possible risk of a WalMart "walk". Regards to All My Old Winona Friends Chuck Dillerud Champlin ----- Original Message ----- From: "Phil Carlson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "online democracy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2003 8:43 AM Subject: RE: [Winona] Walmart > [Winona Online Democracy] > > The specter of Wal-Mart has clearly touched a nerve in many people, judging > from the continuing discussion pro and con. Some of the latest posts ask > what is Winona's vision for itself. This is crucial, since we all act out > our internal visions, whether conscious or not. > > It is important to note that there are some things Winona (as a collective > community and as a municipal authority) can do and some things it can't. It > can't change the nature of global corporate business in the 21st century. > It can't dictate for others where they should shop and what they should want > to buy and at what price. What it can do is decide where there should be > shopping areas and where there should be residential areas, and other > distinctions of land use. It can decide which buildings and neighborhoods > are important enough to our character to preserve or protect them from > unwanted destruction and development. It can dictate the placement, style, > materials, and size of buildings built in the community. > > For me, the unfortunate thing about Wal-Mart is not it's business plan and > corporate structure (although I don't necessarily like them), but that they > create such bland places, devoid of "soul", "character" and "identity", and > they reinforce the expansion of such places wherever they go, and at such a > large scale. They are at the top of the stinking heap in creating global > lowest-common-denominator sameness. But people flock there by the millions > to buy their daily necessities because it is all so cheap and plentiful. > > No, for me, the unfortunate thing is that Winona has opened the door to a > vast highway-oriented, parking lot driven retail empire on the east side. > Wal-Mart is a logical fit once that "vision" is allowed into the community's > psyche. It may be too late to change it, but maybe not. > > How to reconcile the two? Craft a vision that includes clear statements and > specific guidelines (written into ordinances) on land use, character, and > architectural identity for this East Village, then let Wal-Mart or anyone > else come fit into OUR mold, rather than the other way around. If Wal-Mart > could look more like the Choate building than a cinder block warehouse I > might actually go buy some socks there. > > - Phil Carlson, Mpls > > _______________________________________________ > This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy > All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. > No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. > To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit > http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona > Any problems or suggestions can be directed to > mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at > http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org > _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
