Please let us have a Walmart or some other grocery store again. We used to have 2 grocery stores, a Belk and a theater and 2 Drug stores. i would love to have a Walmart. I want a "Go Walmart" Sign.

I agree with Sandy. I really think the anti-walmart group have not been in a walmart. They have the best baby and child prices on everyday goods. Their fruit and vegetables are very fresh and they also seem to carry regional produce when available.walmat had gotten a bad rap but must be from people who have money to burn. AND, I have gotten better help and attitudes from employees at Chamblee walmart (closet one to me) than target. Selig is asking for input on the look. I lived in Smoke Rise when a liquor store was coming to the area. We all protested. It was built anyway and became the best neighbor the neighborhood had. They consistently supported and donated to SR eLementary and it is still the nicest landscaped business in the area. Now is time for input--not protest.

I expect Selig realizes that GGD is a small group in the neighborhood and that the majority support their plans. I think it was very generous of them to even schedule a meeting with them. And now, to seek input. Those who are part of GGD will no doubt continue in their negative ways. They can't give positive input. All their energy goes into tearing things down. Not building things up. Oh well. How soon can we shop at Walmart in Suburban Plaza? Not soon enough, imo. Can't wait to see what they do with the center. Whatever it is will have to be an improvement.

Tenant idea: COFFEE SHOP! Maybe with a drive-thru? There isn't a super convenient one in the immediate area.

I'm very opposed to WM in that plaza, and I have not been to a Good Growth DeKalb meeting yet...so you are WRONG if you think that "the majority" wants WM there. Many of my neighbors have Stop WM signs in their yards. Have you SEEN that intersection in rush hour??!! A little logic and planning is necessary, folks. It's not a love-or-hate-Walmart thing, it's about handling traffic patterns on our streets. What we don't plan for now becomes a traffic nightmare down the road. Be logical.

Please keep Big Lots!!!!!!!

How presumptuous of Selig to expect to “get their way!” Just because it’s, you know, their property, and, you know, their investment dollars?

Also, did Mr. Blondeau happen to mention that the “petition” presented by GGD is an online instrument run by change.org (a subsidiary of moveon.org)? And that the “signatures” include, not only folks from other states, but other countries, as well? Didn’t think so.
This is hardly representative of the neighborhood.

How can you say Walmart is NOT WANTED? I, for one, DO want it very much. There are others who also would like to see Walmart come to our neighborhood. Is this just one more example of the class envy that is so prevalent these days? Some people simply can't stand it if others manage to make more money! They would welcome Target, but not Walmart. What's the difference? Anyway, Target has not expressed a desire to come here. And, if that's true about signatures on the petition, only those from the neigborhood should be considered.
Helen Lenkerd

In response to Robert's view of the meeting (reposted from Decatur Patch)-

Good Growth Dekalb's representatives let their members down by refusing to go over their list of ideas or raise any concerns other than Walmart. Theresa Same of MANA and I were on hand to answer any questions regarding the neighborhoods' efforts, including the Conditions negotiated, or on the process to date. The Selig folks were more than ready to speak to anything asked, aside from Walmart, and did manage to give a small bit of information in the very limited chance that they were given to share it. GGD's petition was presented, and it contains signatures from Decatur area residents, the extended metro area, and from across the country. It should be noted that Good Growth Dekalb's request for a meeting with Selig did not occur until 8 months after the requested special exception for reduced parking (variance) was granted. The meeting was one of the most unpleasant situations I've ever been present for, and included a personal attack on Scott Selig and his family's legacy.

Ralph's GGD link in this post leads to one of the most interesting threads related to Suburban Plaza's re-do.You'll find me (community liaison) and Good Growth Dekalb's co-chair Robert Blondeau and Victoria Webb (role unknown) among the commenters.

On defining a vibrant community (repost of response to Robert's statement)-

A vibrant community is not its structures; it is its people. A community's vibrancy flourishes when its people come together and collectively seek ways to honor the hopes and needs of all who live within it, knowing that give and take will be needed, and will be rewarded when honest efforts have been put in. It is magic when it happens; however, it can't be only wished for or forced into being. Creating special spaces, meeting the needs of its people, and nurturing dreams into reality are all some of the things that we do to enrich our lives and allow for people to come together. Whether actions taken lead to the building of a vibrant community lies within the how.

Selig welcomes our community's input on potential tenants and ideas for architectural features. I am happy to receive any suggestions that you'd like to share. You may reach me through the Decatur Heights Neighborhood Association's email address. Please indicate Suburban Plaza Idea in the subject line. www.decaturheightsneighbors@gmail.com .

Let's get back to the ORIGINAL question on this article--here are a few things I would love to see in that particular plaza, that I think would work with the traffic patterns:
--A bank
--Medical offices (parking would be much easier at Suburban than at the 2 nearby hospitals)
--Some nice restaurants (more ethnic cuisines!)
--Possibly a relo of the arts center from Emory (because parking there is bad, and an arts center's demand for traffic patterns would, I believe, be more suitable here because their schedules would be outside rush hours)
--Stores with less high-traffic that are approp for family & student populations, perhaps like Old Navy or Staples
--A really good ice cream shop

Good Growth Dekalb are not zealots. They are people concerned with the kind of business that is located in their neighborhood. They are people who have the best interests of their community at heart. They work hard for their community. The zealots are the pro Walmart people. Many anti Walmart signs have been stolen or destroyed. In one documented incident, a couple was caught trying to steal a No Walmart sign and when challenged, they resorted to violence by tearing the sign from the owner's hands. Most pro Walmart folks are uneducated about the far reaching effects of Walmart's business practices and probably don't care anyway. The world is full of people who don't care. Walmart has billions of dollars to throw the public a bone in the form of cheaper medicines or some other feel good propaganda. Like the three monkeys, "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil."

I was replying to a comment left on July 27 where GGD were called zealots and the person who said it also said he feared for his family's safety. To me that is hugely inflammatory and untrue. GGD is nothing if not a pacifist organization who believes that it is the right of all Americans to protest.

I want to amend my last comment about Martin Luther King. He faced innumerable dangers and of course assassination. It is ridiculous for me to equate what GGD is doing to what he faced as a civil rights pioneer.

A nicer gym like LA Fitness or something would be nice. Decatur Y is fine but it is just SO crowded. Would like a less kids option. And don't hate - I have a kid - just would love a kid free place to work out and have a grown up moment. And I live across the street from Suburban plaza. Don't want Walmart but there being something there I do want would take some of the sting away.

I would love a JoAnn's fabric store. Hancock is a total dump and has a horrible selection. There is not a good all-purpose fabric store ITP. (I love you, Intown Quilters, but you don't always have what I want.) At the very least make Hancock expand in size and selection.

I'd also l.o.v.e. a Bojangles there.

I would like to see
a fabric store,
a coffee shop/bakery,
a "town square" type space with seating and room for a small performance
keep and expand Onstage Atlanta (it would be great to have them able to offer children's theater and classes)
a workout place (with childcare)
a bookstore
a store selling artsy-craftsy / folk art objects (like the ones in Decatur)
clothing store

All that said, I am quite concerned about the traffic flow. That six-way intersection is tricky to navigate safely either in a car or on foot, and I really want to see what is planned to make it safe and useable.