Proposed Wal-Mart has supporters
City Hall Bureau
Charie Araullo is on maternity leave from her sales job and tending to her 4-month-old at home. She'd like to see a Wal-Mart in Leslieville.
"Wal-Mart prices are affordable and it's one-stop shopping," the 27-year-old said, explaining she now has to drive to one on Eglinton Ave. in Scarborough for baby supplies. "For people on a tight budget and families, Wal-Mart is great."
That's not always an easy sentiment to express.
Many in the Leslieville neighbourhood, including area Councillor Paula Fletcher, vehemently oppose a proposed $200-million big-box retail centre that could include a Wal-Mart.
But voices quietly rising in support of the project are accusing Fletcher's backers of elitism and insensitivity to the needs of low-income shoppers who could benefit from the "value shopping" the 650,000-square-foot development would bring to the area.
In front of the nearby Price Chopper discount store on Leslie St., a woman who said the area needs a Wal-Mart was nevertheless nervous about giving her name.
"I have friends who are against (the project) and they'll kill me,'' she said.
With the shopping centre already vetoed by the city, the issue goes to the Ontario Municipal Board next month.
Fletcher, who wants the site in the Eastern Ave. and Leslie St. area set aside for higher paying, "value-added jobs," not retail employment, organized a rally a couple of weeks ago slamming the proposal, together with MP Jack Layton and MPP Peter Tabuns. About 300 people attended, and homes and storefronts in the area have sprouted signs reading: "No Big Box in Leslieville."
Kevin Walters, president of the Eastern Avenue Residents Association, is annoyed that the NDP has cultivated the "no" side of the issue: "They are the ones whipping up all the opposition, yet so many of their core supporters are low income and need the opportunity to shop at a place like Wal-Mart."
Fletcher counters that such remarks are "scraping the bottom of the barrel," and maintains the opposition is based on a grassroots community "push back." There's no guarantee the site will include a Wal-Mart if it gets approved.
Mitch Goldhar's SmartCentres Inc. has a 50 per cent stake in the 7.7-hectare site, with Rose Corp. owning the other half. Wal-Mart is typically the anchor for SmartCentres.
"We're talking to Wal-Mart. We hope they'll be part of the project, but they haven't signed on," said Tom Smith, vice-president, development for SmartCentres.
Wal-Mart would have to conform to the scale of the project, which calls for storefronts on three levels along Eastern Ave. and Lake Shore Blvd. E., with 1,900 parking spots tucked in behind, the goal being to minimize their visual impact.
A Wal-Mart there would be about half the usual size, or 130,000 square feet, and located on the upper floors, which Smith calls a "radical departure" for the company.
The property currently houses Toronto Film Studios, but that operation will soon head south of Lake Shore to the portlands.
Work on the project would begin next year, creating 1,800 construction jobs. At completion in 2011, it will create 2,000 permanent jobs, Smith says, with an annual payroll of $60 million.
"We believe this is significant. Further, we are committed to making these jobs available first and foremost to local residents,'' he said.
A major worry for neighbours is the traffic it will bring into a neighbourhood yearning for a more walkable, urban vibe.
Proponents say that won't be a major issue because there will be access to the site from Lake Shore. The area already has a "big-box'' Canadian Tire, Shoppers Drug Mart and Price Chopper.
Fletcher says her problem with the project isn't solely about Wal-Mart – though she is opposed to the company's labour practices. Wal-Mart is known for its low wages and resistance to unionization.
Her main argument is that the site is supposed to be set aside for "value-added jobs," like the film-related employment there now.
"The retail job is worth $33,000 a year to Toronto's economy. The value-added job is worth $106,000 a year. Multiply each of those by 2,000 and you can see the yearly difference in a value-added jobs strategy," Fletcher says.
"My job isn't to watch if somebody has to go one block or three blocks to buy something. My job, and that of city council, is to ensure the long-term economic health of the city's economy, and that the lands set aside for value-added jobs aren't gobbled up by retail."
Re:Wal-Mart: Blessing or curse?
April 23
Thanks for the article on Wal-Mart. It was a nice change to see views from both sides. The report that a local shopper "was nevertheless nervous about giving her name" did not surprise me. Many Leslieville "silent" citizens choose not to reveal their identity on this subject as they have experienced subtle intimidation with nasty arguments at community meetings or having their opinions totally ignored.
I am also confused how a cash-strapped city like Toronto can turn its nose up at the offer of an annual $3 million or more in property taxes if the Smart Centre is developed. The naysayers are ready to argue that even though there would be 2,100 jobs, they would be low-paid positions. It would be an interesting survey to find out what wages are paid to employees at many of the local businesses.
Of course, if the Smart Centre does open, it will be amusing to see many of the "No Big Box" supporters shopping there. I meet up with many Leslieville neighbours down at the new stores, Canadian Tire and Mark's Work Wearhouse, especially at sale time.
Bruce Brackett, Toronto
Cling, Clank, Clink, Clank,,,,,,,
1 comment:
what the fuck do you care?
honestly.
Many people here don't want a walmart. Some people do. It's not like there isn't a million billion small mom and pop stores where you can get what walmart sells already. They provide jobs already. I mean, after the kabillion fucking dollar stores around here, do you really want to raise your blood pressure over adding a big dollar store to add to the melee?
Or perhaps you hot after the greeter position. Maybe that's it?
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