[Winona Online Democracy] Public discussion of a retail complex on Menard/Wal-Mart site began with in early December 1998 when Wendell Corey announced his intent to pursue plans for a retail complex on that site. Creating a retail center on that site has been thoroughly aired in public meetings before the Winona Port Authority, Winona City Council and Winona Planning Commission over the past five years.
Jerome Christenson Winona Daily News 601 Franklin St. Winona, MN 55987 (507) 453-3522 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Polly Gower Sent: Monday, November 10, 2003 6:30 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Subject: Re: [Winona] The Walmart Saga [Winona Online Democracy] Bob, I agree that development and design standards need attention in this community. My hope is that we can start right now. Do you know if anything is being worked on in this area? Traffic in the Riverbend area is already a problem. Let's take care of this before there is more development. The area is under-retailed? How so? Have there been any economic impact studies done? If a grocery store is built on the east end, will the one on the West end continue stay in business? Again, have any studies been done? You stated that the decision to open a portion of Riverbend to retail was an open and public discussion. I don't recall this and I am sorry I missed those open and public discussions. Could you tell me when and where those discussions took place? Polly Gower >[Winona Online Democracy] > >There is one thing that is not being said enough as we talk about Walmart >and development in general...and that is that we have a terrific mayor in >Jerry Miller. > >We had a great talk about Riverbend this morning. Talking about design, I >asked him if Riverbend couldn't look more like Winona than Onalaska...he >responded by asking me if Target or HyVee looks like Winona...I said 'I >don't know'...he said 'I don't either.' I asked him if we are learning >from >this process and will we handle future developments better...he said 'yes, >I >believe we will...' He also pointed out that Menards is the most >landscaped >big box retailer in town, and he is right. He also reminded me that the >city built the Vila Street extension to Highway 61...for those of you who >don't remember...thousands of cars a day used to cruise through the Winona >Mall parking lot for a shortcut from Gilmore to 61. No one complained that >that project was only to benefit KMart...nor will I complain about street >projects that some say is subsidizing WalMart with improvements. > >Walmart is a legitimate business that wants to come to our community and >provide service in an area that has been, historically, chronically >under-retailed. How long have we needed a grocery store in the east end? >Bambenek's wasn't much of a store (great meat...little other selection), >but >it was something...and its been gone for years. The decision to open a >portion of Riverbend to retail was an open and public discussion...and I >believe that the remainder of Riverbend will remain for manufacturing...I >forgot to ask the mayor, but I know that the city manager lurks on this >list...Eric, am I right when I say there would be hell to pay if all of >Riverbend were to go retail? I know I'd go ballistic. > >There is no cabal operating out of City Hall with designs to thwart the >best >interests of our community. Folks are doing their best. I do know one >thing about WalMart...they are big United Way supporters. That's a great >thing. And they won't be the first low-wage, low-benefit employer in town >by any means. > >Bob Sebo >Winona > >_______________________________________________ >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 _________________________________________________________________ Compare high-speed Internet plans, starting at $26.95. https://broadband.msn.com (Prices may vary by service area.) _______________________________________________ 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
