why can't you look at putting a Cosco at this location????

I attended this meeting.Very disheartening.It's a done deal already.They had pat answers for all our concerns. Would still like to know who the shoppers are they
are taking about who wanted this Walmart at Suburban.They keep saying they were filling this need. I don't think it's a good fit for the surrounding neighborhoods. I don't see most Clairmont Heights/Medlock, Druid Hills,Decatur & Emory folks shopping there. So where are these people coming from that they keep taking about?? We would like to see a new development with stores we need and could support.
Talk about more traffic..........

So people in the Emory/N. Decatur area don't like low prices? Come on.

This will be the worst thing to happen to this area in a long time. Oh and you don't get lower prices than the thrift store and it's incredibly green to boot!

I know someone who was just fired from Walmart after 15 yrs of service - a week before her pension was due to kick in. I refuse to buy from the corporation.

And I also wonder why a larger public group wasn't invited to the meeting. The potential impact will affect far more neighborhoods than just Medlock.

I attended the meeting and I am not swayed by the Selig or Walmart representatives. I remain vehemently opposed to a Walmart at Suburban plaza. First and foremost, Walmarts are statistically proven to attract crime. For Ex. A on this, see today's news story about a murder that happened inside a Southern California Walmart, the second one to occur at that particular Walmart. And there have been shootings at the Tucker one. I can go on and on about Walmart crime and I have zero tolerance for the politically correct passivity that chips away at a decent community's quality of life and concomitantly denies reality. Winn Way and the bus stop attracts a great deal of crime to that part of North Decatur Road and I know that first-hand from a surgeon friend of mine who works at DeKalb Medical Center.
Second, a Walmart is going to categorically depress property values. I was not impressed, nor was I disarmed, for a second when the Selig owner spoke of his connections to the neighborhood. I was insulted and embarassed for him that he used such transparent tactics.

Third, I don't for a second believe or accept that a Walmart is our only salvation for the despairing Suburban Plaza. Let's not forget that Selig allowed the property to decline, when it was in their control to revive it with more palatable and community-oriented solutions. To place a Walmart in the middle of a very stable neighborhood like Medlock Park is a slap in the face of tax paying residents.

I am extremely concerned about this as what happens to local areas 10 years out from Walmart opening a store. As was said previously, Walmart depresses home values and crime increases.
I'd like to know how this deal went through and nobody seems to know about it.

The deal went through, in my opinion, because the MANA Board and Jeff Rader did not provide timely, comprehensive feedback or consultation with the neighborhood. I had no idea that this was as far along as it was until last night. I was shocked, quite frankly. I have posted things on the FB MANA page previously inquiring about this issue so that we can get in front of it and no one from the Board ever responds to me. In fact, they never respond to my emails so I am thinking about forming my own group. All bets are off. Selig and Walmart have purposefully kept this off the radar and they come to the meeting trying to pass as upstanding citizens. I say we fight the variance, something the Board did not mention as an option.

Great coverage Jonathan--a real public service.

Isn't it sad that with all of Selig's resources that this is the BEST he has to offer/present to this community (a Lindbergh Station look alike)? All the 21st century communities (with a plethora of possibilities) popping up across our nation and the only thing he can come up with is a 19th century strip mall. How boring, unimaginative and uninspiring can a developer become? Looks like Selig found the answer to total and complete mediocrity. Which begs the question, "is mediocrity better than nothing?"

Why can't the deal be appealed? If enough neighborhood groups coalesced to fight it, it could be stopped.

Hobby Lobby, Jo-Ann, Costco, Lowe's, Harbor Freight, Target...just a few of the places I would much rather see there than a Wal-Mart...This will most certainly LOWER property values, at a time when tax revenue is already down...The county needs to encourage a develooper that will ATTRACT and KEEP homebuyers.

This is so sad. Our quaint, nice neighborhood is about to be swallowed with one big gulp by corporate America. I feel we don't have an ounce of power to fight this big business deal even though we stand to suffer greatly. This neighborhood has taken one knock after another...the closing of our school, the possible erection of a cell tower (we thankfully won that one), and AT&T and their u-verse messes along our streets, etc. Oh and who can forget our wonderful cut-through friends who speed on our streets, tailgate us and disregard our stop signs. I ALMOST feel like saying to Selig and Walmart, "Take it. I give up. I fought the good fight. Now it's time for me to tuck my tail and run." I agree with the post stating how insulting it is that Selig dared to speak to us about how much he "cares" about this neighborhood. I don't think the lady in the corner should have been muttering b---- sh----- during Selig's little speech, but I must say I have to agree with her. Suburban Plaza had great potential to be a neat, retro, intown shopping area, but bad management and greed has driven it into ruin. I actually think the structure is cool and speaks of an architectural era gone by--oh well. If you'd like to see what Walmart does to an area, visit Avondale. My advice...clutch your purse or wallet tightly and get ready for the joy of Walmart in your own neighborhood

I think there are things that can still be done if we wanted to put the effort into it, in a structured and cohesive way. First, we can fight the variance like lions. Variances are subject to a public forum and we can show up en masse. We can also hold Jeff Rader responsible and vote him out of office, although that is an after-the-fact retaliation rather than an active defense. In my opinion he needs to go; he voted for the property tax increase and he is not fighting Selig on this. I don't care what Mr. Rader has done for us in the past, this is a deal breaker and he should know that his more informed constituents know this and will not be fast talked. Fighting the variance would mean starting our own group separate from the MANA Board, but I am willing to do that. The MANA Board does not speak for me on this issue, nor did they ever ask my opinion. I, and anyone else in Medlock or Clairmont or any of the affected communities, are not obligated to follow MANA's lead, although it would have been ideal not to divide the community. But I put that on them.

By the way, just one more thing. The Walmart rep stated that they want to build to sell product to Emory kids. Get real...Emory kids don't shop at Walmart. They don't have the types of products those kids want. Any "cheap" shopping they do will still be at Target who can provide them with stylish items----essential to college kids. They're spending Mommy and Daddy's money, they don't need to shop at Walmart.

Yes, I completely agree. The Emory students are, on the whole, from wealthy or upper middle class families, and Walmart is not their inspiration. I doubt that really is Selig's or Walmart's target demographic. I think they threw that out there to appease us, because Emory kids would be a preferable clientele to what Walmarts statistically and demonstrably attract. Also, I found a Selig income demography graph done online in the Fall of 2010 for a one mile radias around Suburban Plaza, so they know what the income distribution and concentration is and who will frequent that store. They assumed they were speaking to people who would be too scared and too uninformed to challenge them. Scot Selig went to Westminster. Let's ask him if he wants a Walmart around the corner from him. The variance is fightable and I'm going to fight it and get as many people as I can. It is not a done deal.

Start a protest group and engage other neighborhoods - like Avondale. @Carol, Avondale Estates was fought by the city proper. However, I agree with your premise. Walmarts are usually built in the less affluent parts of towns/cities and contribute to the demise of small businesses that the community has traditionally supported.

@Jennifer, I'll try to get folks over here in Avondale to participate too, just keep us informed about meetings, etc. I think a trip en masse to a local representative is in order. This will affect all of us who shop in the vicinity.

ps vic (at) furiousdreams.com

I live in Avondale Estates. Walmart wanted us to annex them in to our city but we opposed it and won.
Unfortunately Decatur still let them build on Memorial.
I don't like Walmart nor their principles or the lack thereof. It is a shame to have them inside the perimeter.

I live in the Oak Grove area. The year long plus construction mess is going to drive you home owners crazy - they start before sunrise and continue into the night. Yes, I suspect the lighting in the "update" will be horrific to that area. The traffic mess - even more so! Would I go to that Walmart rather than the one in Tucker? - well maybe if I was already headed in that direction - HOWEVER- I have only been to a Walmart 2-3 times in the past several years & only if I need one thing - I'm in & out quickly - so I don't "shop". I don't like their "lack of morals" and their company practices - for example what they are doing right now to your whole area!
It's probably a done deal - unless a fight for variance zoning ensues. Will follow and try my best to go to hearing with you - even if I have no voice in Decatur. Sounds like Jeff Rader is history!!!

I'm torn on this. On the one hand, I would like to protect locally owned businesses as much as possible. Intown Ace in particular, which I love, seems most vulnerable. On the other hand, I hate having to DRIVE miles and miles whenever I need underwear or a toaster or any number of other basic items that are no longer sold around here. Big box chains are largely to blame, but not because they moved here -- they moved further out and it still killed off local necessities and department stores. (Not that the long-gone Belk was really local either.) Why is driving several miles to Target better than driving half a mile to Wal-Mart? Isn't it better to drive less?

I don't really have an opinion on the matter, but I've heard a lot of people express sympathy for ACE Hardware. Isn't ACE a large, impersonal chain too? That's not to say I don't understand. The ACE where I grew up in Maryland also had a very protective, local fan base. No matter where I am, a lot of people seem to exempt that brand from the distaste for chain stores. Why do you think that is?

I have been keeping up with the posts here just because I live in Medlock Park and feel strongly that the impact will be horrible for our neighborhood and property values. I am amazed at how many people have no feelings about it or have the attitude of "well, it's better than what's there now". I feel like "the spider said to the fly"...Walmart/Selig is the spider and the fly is really a collective group of people who are buying into the lies of this company who typically has a negative impact on the surrounding area it serves. Someone mentioned that it's better than a thrift store. Maybe thrift stores are not the best businesses to have but they attract a wide array of people. I don't see Walmart doing that. Also, someone else here made a very good point that Thrift stores are "green". So true and certainly Walmart is not. No matter what they say, they typically open new stores and abandon old ones. I'm from south Georgia and they do it all the time. If you're on the fence, go visit one or all of these Walmarts and see what you think then: Tucker, Avondale and Stone Mountain. I don't even believe that Walmart can attract good stores and play a decent role as an anchor store. The one at Tucker finally has a few, but usually it's a CATO or some off brand shoe store,dollar stores, etc. --if anything at all. Really. It's a sell out. Walmart and Selig are full of it and I'm not buying. Does anyone know when the meeting on the variance is being held?

Walmart is a horrible fit for the Decatur area that has worked hard to have local, independent businesses thrive. We would never shop at Walmart and are saddened to think the Medlock area would have a similar atmosphere like the Memorial Drive Walmart. It was supposed to be mixed use, etc.. A total joke. It is a strip mall with traffic and a cheap storefront. Surely there is another corporate store that would be a better fit. How about Trader Joe's?

@Carol. I haven't drunk the Kool-Aid, don't wory! I'm with you. I'm just trying to 360 this. If you want, message me on Facebook; I think there's a good chance that Selig is reading this blog, not that I care that much.

I agree that Walmart isn't the best fit for the city of Decatur, but it seems that Selig and WM would only partly be thinking of Decatur. North of Decatur has struggled to attract and maintain businesses, apart from the Indian shopping centers. Walmart is probably paying closer attention to the state of North Dekalb Mall than to the City of Decatur. Even Northlake Mall seems to have gone downscale in the last few years. It's also true that Walmart seems to be trying to diversify its types and sizes of stores, and one of the things they've been successful at is the quick adjustment of pricing and offerings to the local competition of a particular store. So maybe the proximity to city of Decatur means this walmart will feel more like one of the nicer Targets. But the question I meant to raise is why assume that walmart would depress property values as compared vacant store fronts and thrift stores? Again, I'd prefer another retailer, which would boost property values, but that argument doesn't make sense to me given the current state of Suburban Plaza.

Just out of curiosity, why on Earth was the traffic study optional? You're putting a freaking Wal-Mart next to a 6-point intersection! That alone is cause for concern.

I did most of my growing up around Columbus, GA. They have 3 Wal-Mart Supercenters and a Sam's Club in that town. One Super Center was built where a previous standard Wal-Mart and Sam's Club had been demolished. Another one was built on a new shopping development, but the developer had to beef up on lanes and traffic signals because of the Wal-Mart. The last one was allowed on the condition Wal-Mart did a fairly massive traffic study and paid the city to build more lanes and re-tune the surrounding traffic lights.

I understand how "icky" Wal-Mart is for a neighborhood. However, I'd at least appreciate getting done over with some lube. I'm utterly ashamed to see the commissioners bending over so easily. The City of Columbus always bordered on extortion with its conditions for the construction of new Wal-Marts. At the very least, we should be getting the following:

* The intersection of Medlock Road, Scott Boulevard, and North Decatur Road completely rebuilt and reworked.
* Side walks on Medlock from Scott to Church
* Similar work on the Church Street/North Decatur Road and North Decatur Road/Sycamore Drive intersections. The latter will become a disaster because of the increased cars per hour going through the former.

If the deals done, at least get SOMETHING for it. Idiots.

Whatever concessions we get from the deal will be overshadowed by the overall negative impact. Just wait until we start to get more traffic flowing through our streets. Not only will the increased traffic within our neighborhood boundaries erode our qulaity of life, break-ins will definitely tick up as more undesriables become familiar with and comfortable with our neighborhood. This isn't rocket science.

At the meeting people were concerned about allowing independent businesses to stay - what about the large antique shop there? They've been there 10 years now, has anyone checked with them on the "allowance for small businesses" - will they stay?

Not certain about any businesses currently there but surely there's something people can do or is it just too late? How did this get in under the radar and so quickly too!

Thanks for the info - does anyone know on what date the variance was applied for? I cannot find anything on the county site's agenda (not the easiest site to naviate - no search button for specifics so hunt and hunt and hunt!). I'd love to read the minutes or just find out when this thing got such traction. Shame on me for not being a participant in my own neighborhood. I will no longer take "my space" in this town for granted!

I have emailed Jeff Rader to express my anger over this and I would suggest that anyone who believes that it is a bad idea should also email him. His email address is jrader@dekalbcountyga.gov. I feel strongly that this should not have been presented to the community as a fait accompli.

Jennifer, Thanks for bringing this up again. It seems a lot of us have given up on the whole thing and decided to let Walmart take over. Jeff Rader is a terrible excuse for a representative, but I guess we should let him know how we feel (bug him). I'm quite sure there is absolutely no one in Dekalb county government who cares. That doesn't mean I'm not willing to put up a fight for what I belive is a huge mistake for us. Anyone up for running for Rader's position? Need a campaign manager?

My suggestion is to gather a petition with signatures. There will be more power in a collective complaint than individual ones. I can help over here in Avondale but there needs to be a point person from Medlock.

Jeff Rader responded to my email yesterday and this is what he said, in part:

Special exceptions and variances are decided by the Zoning Board of Appeals, an appointed board. Bonnie Jackson represents District 2 on the ZBA. County zoning and transportation staff will analyze the proposal and make a recommendation to the ZBA to disapprove, approve, or approve the request with specific conditions. Since the request is for a parking variance, most conditions would likely be focused on reducing vehicular travel demand, including bike and pedestrian accommodations. They may also suggest other conditions to reduce neighborhood impact, including controls on lighting, means to prevent cut-through traffic, etc.

His office coordinator wrote me to tell me that since the property is zoned for a C-2 big box, the proposal does not go before the commissioners. My question remains, however: is there anything Jeff Rader could have done, or can still do, with his influnece and community suport to dissuade Selig from this very misguided and detrimental development? I can't help but think that there is some lever in the government machine that is our bureacracy that could have been notched against this. Victoria, if we get a petition do you know if it would even matter? How did Avondale stop it?

Jennifer - Avondale citizens got together and petitioned against it. They had over 50% of the city opposed with 926 signatures. I wasn't here at the time, I just moved back.

You have to get a large group of folks saying they don't want it. There's still time. I'll help, but someone from Medlock has to step into the role of leadership.
http://www.sprawl-busters.com/search.php?readstory=1670

How can we get in touch without posting personal information on this site?

I posted my contact info on Nov. 5- scroll up!

If you are against a Walmart at Suburban Plaza and want to mobilize and help to stop its development, please send an email to nowalmartindecatur@hotmail.com.

Do not be afraid to disagree with your neighborhood associations and please don't be afraid of Walmart and Selig. I firmly believe that they rely on a combination of fear, apathy and ignorance.