Ward Four Thrives Joins Living Wages, Healthy Communities Coalition

Ward Four Thrives is thrilled to be a part of the city-wide coalition - Living Wages Healthy Communities- resisting the WalMartization of our communities. W4T's position remains unchanged:

1. Wal Mart is not right for Ward Four

2. There are better alternatives for the space

3. Ward Four needs community-led development!

We support the self determination of the other wards and community groups represented in the coalition, and will support the mission of the group.

In light of the partnership, we'll be marching with the rest of the coalition on MLK Day on the MLK Peace Walk. Please join us behind the Living Wages Healthy Communities banner, and get involved with Ward Four Thrives!

Meet 9 AM on Monday January 17th at the Anacostia Metro Station near the "kiss and ride" exit. For more info contact Mike Wilson: mikewilson28@gmail.com!

Let's roll out Our mart!

http://twitpic.com/3p5kil

OMG Wal Mart # 5

Ward 7 has got another popper on their hands with Wal Mart trying to snag the anchor location at the Skyland Town Center after Target has backed off.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2011/01/11/walmarts-fifth-d-c-location-skyland/

Thursday's Ward Four Thrives Meeting

Where: Takoma Library meeting room, 416 Cedar Street NW

When: Thursday, January 13, 6:30-8:00 pm

Ward Four Thrives Petition Drive Kicks Off

Last weekend dozens of Ward Four Thrives members petitioned outside of a Ward Four Safeway, gathering over 300 signatures against the development of a Wal Mart in the neighborhood. Many weekend shoppers stopped and shared their thoughts with petitioners, citing concern for a DC USA-like traffic disaster, the impact on other businesses, like Safeway, among other concerns.

Also of interest to shoppers and residents has large has been increased interest in the city's own Upper Georgia Avenue Master Plan, which a Wal Mart harshly contradicts. The plan calls for diverse development, specifically siting the Curtis-Chevrolet plan as the key to a successful development of the corridor:

The Curtis Chevrolet site, on the east side of the 5900 block of Georgia, has the greatest potential for new development, especially if adjacent parcels can be assembled or if property owners pursue joint development. The character of the Missouri Avenue area in the future depends on how the site is redeveloped.

Check out an interesting analysis of the report and decide for yourself if Wal Mart fits the bill on the Brightwoodian

And read the plan yourself here.

ANC 4B Gets in Gear

The ANC that is home to the Curtis-Chevrolet site has formed a committee to address development of the lot. The only somewhat awkwardly named Committee on Square 2986, after the lot designation's number given by the city, is made up of several subcommittees, including:

1. Large Tract Review (Richard Layman, Chair) - to examine the large tract review and any other engineering issues of the development

2. Alternatives to Wal-Mart (Taalib-Din Uqdah, Chair) - to develop and propose alternative uses for the site

3. Community Benefits Agreement (Beth Pointer, Chair) - to gather points for a Community Benefits Agreement

4. Outreach (Renee Bowser, Chair) - to ensure people are aware of the proposal and take the opportunity to participate

5. Business - to examine the impacts of a WalMart on area businesses and identify ways to mitigate those impacts (still seeking small business chair)

These are not closed committees and anyone is welcome to participate in them (especially residents of surrounding ANCs are invited to participate, since Square 2986 does indeed sit at the epicenter of all four of Ward 4's ANCs. It's located in 4B, but 4A is right across Georgia; 4D is just south of Missouri; and 4C is just southwest, across that hellish intersection of Georgia/Missouri/Colorado/etc.)

DC advises Gray in WAPO

Say no to Wal-Mart.

In November, Wal-Mart announced plans to open four stores in Washington by 2012. This is not what our city needs.

As an independent small-business owner, I am concerned about the District's "big box" approach to economic development. This strategy - plant national chains in gentrifying areas, some of which are still recovering from 1968's riots - is unsustainable and unwise. It's economic crack.

You should take the long view and strive to attract small businesses with tax incentives that level the playing field for those battling the big-box bullies. Small businesses give our neighborhoods - whether Mount Pleasant, Shaw or H Street - their unique character. (Remember when Chinatown had something more Chinese than Fuddruckers?)

Small businesses create more local jobs, pay more taxes, keep more money in the community and are far less likely to close down when things get tough. And, if they go bust, they don't leave an economic crater behind.

Learn from the mistakes of your predecessor. Instead of hopping a flight across the country to entice Fortune 500 companies, support independent local businesses by taking walks in our neighborhoods, dining at local restaurants and shopping at local shoe stores. It will be money well spent.

- Andy Shallal, owner, Busboys and Poets and Eatonville restaurant

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/30/AR2010123001746_3.html?sid=ST2010123001883