I have been told there is a flier being distributed around South Milwaukee urging opposition to the Walmart plan — and then listing this blog as the place to go for more information.
Let me be clear: I am in no, way, shape or form associated with this flier.
And while I appreciate that residents would turn to this blog for more information on Walmart (and a host of other issues), I continue to keep an open mind on the project and await continued public comment and feedback.
Please know that I take this decision very seriously and, as always, will listen to both sides and learn as much about the project as I can before I cast my vote. That’s how it should be.
I also urge continued civility in this debate. No arguments. No yelling. Please.
South Milwaukee Blog 
Question: What is the difference between the upcoming meeting / vote and the one that happened last week (or so) where Wal-mart was approved?
Comment: I wish the people who are so vocal against Wal-mart would be recommending realistic alternatives for the land. Do they have other businesses lined up that are going to build there (if Wal-mart isn’t) that we could compare the relative advantages? Or are they seeing an advantage to the current city-owned-weed-infested-vacant-land – and if so what are those advantages? Saying “no” all by itself is not helpful.
There was an alternate proposal left on the table at the last meeting. All we can do is encourage the community of contact their Alderpersons to voice their opinions. Then show up at the October 18th meeting.
I missed that meeting. What is the short version of the proposal?
A local businessman proposed to put up his own monies and build a manufacturing plant which would employ more local people and a better wage and an opportunity to learn a skilled trade. Also the city could double the return. Traffic could be reduced to employees and would become a non-issue. I hope there will be condieration of this proposal and others nobody would otherwise know about. Another plus… manufactured in the USA!
OK, now there’s another possibility. Since I don’t know who it is, the size of the facility, etc., I can’t comment as to whether or not it is better.
One thing to keep in mind (and correct me if I am wrong) is that the $1M+ being put in by the city is not to help build, but rather to clean up the land. I wonder if ANYBODY would be building there if there wasn’t some government help cleaning up because of government regulations.
The other question I have is when did this business owner come into the picture? The land has been empty for quite some time now and I’ve heard that it was city owned even before the Stramowski building was torn down. Why didn’t we hear of this proposal before Walmart came in? Or even a few months ago when we thought Walmart pulled out?
agreed, SM Guy.
I’d rather look at weeds than 6700 cars driving by
Weeds….?? Just drive by the High School
The high school is another traffic nightmare created by this fine city.
The High School landscape is an embarrassment.
6700 additional car trips per day translates into 4.5 cars per minute. See how many cars travel by that site now in a minute and you’ll see what a small increase in traffic that will be.
Even at that, Chris H., the number seems high. 2 cars coming and 2 cars going every minute, all day? Since it is being built on the main thoroughfare, I wonder if this take into account, for example, that cars already heading out to Pick and Save (or KMart, or elsewhere) might just stop there instead. In addition, assuming the city is able to attract some other development (and I don’t see any other businesses clamoring for the land), what would be the differential?
My understanding is that this number does not take that into account. The 4.5 car trips per minute number is an average. Sometimes in a day that number will be higher and other times it will be lower. My point is that the number of car trips per day at that location right now (without Walmart) is much higher than that 6700 number so the 6700 number will not result in a huge increase in traffic. If the city doesn’t allow Walmart to be open 24 hours, the 6700 number will drop some.
Itll be a lot of cars and the average doesn’t take times of day into account. The bulk will be at prime times I foresee jams and constant travel the rest of the day. I also am concerned about additional traffic running through neighboring residential areas. I am additionally concerned about the safety of the residents in the surrounding areas as a result if the increased traffic and spillage of other crimes into the community 24/7.
Why would shoppers travel through the neighborhoods?? After shopping the will leave by either North Chicago or College Avenue. As far as crime goes, shoplifting is a municipal citation that brings revenue into the City as does speeding tickets. The $1.8M would have to be spent to clean up the parcel regardless of who/what would be built there.
regarding the “local businessman” with a plan…where was he years ago as this parcel has been available for a number of years!!!