Boundaries if we leave BB

[EagleDad]

OK, we4 got me - my bike is from walmart ;-)

[momof3]

macy said:

retailtrafficmag.com/mag/retail_preit_goes_mall/

So they are upgrading existing malls that they purchased. They tried to put in a Wal mart in one mall and totally backed off when the neighbors complained.

That's where all of this speculation is coming from? imo that is one giant unsubstantiated leap.
www.wakeupwalmart.com/news/20050914-pbj.html

Looks to me like PREIT learned their lesson and won't try it again. The lifestyle center is their new tack - open air mall with specialty retailers.

[macy]

bob said:

So it was the Eschlaon Mall in Vorhees NJ. Well the Eschalon Mall is like Fox Valley and Walmart wanted to move in. Completely different setting than a build from scratch mall that PREIT is doing here.

Here is the link for the mall

www.preit.com/leasing/detail/property_overview/35

Yes. Echelon was in a mall setting. Which, if you know retail is even more against what would be proposed for such location.

They have advertised a "lifestyle mall". I've heard Walmart. Not from reading Preit history, but hearing from locals in the know aware of what's happening in retail development.

I'm not saying it's a done deal. Again, has the deal closed? No.

Do I believe those I've talked to that say it's seriously being considered? Yes. Again, the lease is up on their location just north of 75th (20 yr lease) from what I've heard.

[macy]

eagledad said:

OK, we4 got me - my bike is from walmart ;-)

did you go the day after thanksgiving and stand in the line that wrapped around the building for that sweet ride?

[warriorpride]

macy said:

retailtrafficmag.com/mag/retail_preit_goes_mall/

to add:

New Jersey


Read more about New Jersey smart growth.

''Community-Friendly'' Plan Will Transform Part of Echelon Mall Into Mixed-Use Main Street Project

Its plan for Wal-Mart as a redevelopment anchor at the troubled Echelon Mall in this densely suburban area southeast of Philadelphia fiercely opposed by Smart Action for Voorhees and Echelon (SAVE) and the Voorhees Environmental and Recreational Alliance (VERA), the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) took up their own town-center concept and is now willing to transform the demolition-slated portion of the mall into a mixed-use Main Street, with a supermarket and apartments atop shops.

With the rest of the mall -- including two department stores and a food court -- unchanged, the new plan would add underground parking, provide fountains and preserve trees, reports Philadelphia Inquirer writer Edward Colimore, quoting Mayor Michael Mignogna, who says, ''PREIT has obviously listened to concerns of residents.''

At their township rallies and in a protest petition, the writer observes, Wal-Mart opponents decried the prospective traffic and noise increases, harm to local businesses, and the destruction of trees. SAVE co-chair Marylee Margolis is thrilled ''that Wal-Mart is not coming,'' noting that the new plan ''shows more creativity and vision, and is much more community-friendly.''

VERA president Lori Volpe finds the mixed-use plan ''consistent with the principles of smart growth,'' which ''beats a big box,'' doesn't overwhelm the neighborhood, and promises to revitalize the entire mall area.

''I don't know how many people have been successful in chasing Wal-Mart away,'' she adds, ''but PREIT deserves some credit for changing their minds about what would work there and responding to public sentiment.'' -- Philadelphia Inquirer 9/13/2005

This is the redevelopment of an existing (probably old) mall that they purchased. Sounds totally different.

[warriorpride]

macy said:

bob said:

So it was the Eschlaon Mall in Vorhees NJ. Well the Eschalon Mall is like Fox Valley and Walmart wanted to move in. Completely different setting than a build from scratch mall that PREIT is doing here.

Here is the link for the mall

www.preit.com/leasing/detail/property_overview/35

Yes. Echelon was in a mall setting. Which, if you know retail is even more against what would be proposed for such location.

They have advertised a "lifestyle mall". I've heard Walmart. Not from reading Preit history, but hearing from locals in the know aware of what's happening in retail development.

I'm not saying it's a done deal. Again, has the deal closed? No.

Do I believe those I've talked to that say it's seriously being considered? Yes. Again, the lease is up on their location just north of 75th (20 yr lease) from what I've heard.

OK - so, either way, why is this relevant to MV and BB suddenly? It's always been known that the Rt 59 frontage of BB was zoned commercial - so presumably, stores and/or restaurants are to be built there. And...?

[macy]

You can all believe what you want. I've heard they are planning to shove the Walmart in. As I've said over and over tonight, might not happen. DO I THINK IT WILL FLY? NO... Look at East Aurora, and Echelon. Both examples of communities that didn't want the Walmart for differing reasons.

Name the retailers you've heard that are going in the "lifestyle mall"? .... ....

As the SB if they've heard the Walmart rumor. I hope they have as they've visited with Preit. They should know.

What does it matter? Many of you think it's a non issue.

Again, I'm just worried about the traffic implications.

[momof3]

After this discussion the N. site has edged ahead of macom in terms of hazards in my mind. Both have high power lines but Macom has the train tracks and train station and all of the traffic that brings.

Macom would be easier to fill but the tracks and station are permanent.

N. site could get started right away but macom requires: moving Wolf's crossing / moving the power lines / evicting people that don't want to leave / getting property back from the park district.

[macy]

Wow.

all because of the Walmart discussion? Really?

Mom3. I know you were aware of all the negatives to the 248 site prior to tonight? I feel I offended you? How?

[momof3]

macy said:

Wow.

all because of the Walmart discussion? Weird.

The walmart discussion reminded all of us of the train tracks and train station and all of the traffic problems that will create. Also reminded me, at least, of the high power lines and switching station and how close that will be to the school site.

ETA - does anyone have any idea where the school would be located on the AME property?

For the macom site, it is on the switching station end, right?

So do you pick the better location or do you pick the least hazards?

Well, we'll see what the sb decides.

[rew]

The train station is going to be much smaller scale than the Metra station. Not as much commuter traffic going north/south.

[macy]

this is the reason I've been absent for a while. We all have differing opinions and will never agree.

I bring up something that I think is hazardous at 75/59 and it makes some defensive. Not at all my intention. Just my opinion and thoughts.

Time to hibernate again.

[bob]

rew said:

The train station is going to be much smaller scale than the Metra station. Not as much commuter traffic going north/south.

If they link that with the Metra line going downtown, it is a whole new ballgame.

[rew]

I would think if at some point demand grows they will have to add additional stations, but there will be no more room at 95th.

The Star Line concept is suburb to suburb. I have never seen anything linking it to the city. I don't even know if the funding has gone through. When do they project the Star line would start. I haven't seen any dates mentioned. I think the communities are building stations to foce the gov't to fund the line???

[macy]

momof3 said:

macy said:

Wow.

all because of the Walmart discussion? Weird.

The walmart discussion reminded all of us of the train tracks and train station and all of the traffic problems that will create. Also reminded me, at least, of the high power lines and switching station and how close that will be to the school site.

ETA - does anyone have any idea where the school would be located on the AME property?

For the macom site, it is on the switching station end, right?

So do you pick the better location or do you pick the least hazards?

Well, we'll see what the sb decides.

I'm not picking any location. If you had caught my earlier posts, I said I'd be okay with a northern location if it was the only feasible spot for a third school.

Wow... I was just bringing up a serious hazard in terms of traffic if a Walmart was placed on BB. Why the sensitivity? It's just my opinion. Obviously, the majority of this board discount my thoughts as far as the reality of a Walmart at BB and the traffic implications.

I didn't mean to offend you. It was just my opinion. Sorry.

Back to hibernate mode. That's why I haven't been posting. We are arguing about nonsense lately. Let the SB pick a site. Then, we can go back to tearing each other up.