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(2/19/2004) Finally, there is a lasting positive development arising from the fight over the Southbridge Wal-Mart. It was reported in the following two articles:
Pr. William Set to Limit Huge Stores (washingtonpost.com)
Potomac News Online | Big-box stores may have limit
- (12/17/2003) The ugly, worn wooden fencing between the nice brick fence post columns that we have extending from the Cherry Hill Rd. Southbridge sign is being removed and replaced with a matching brick half-wall between the columns and topped with wrought iron fencing. This will accent the Southbridge sign and existing columns very nicely as well as providing a clearer view of Wal-Mart from Rt. 1. A win-win situation that didn't cost us a dime. Also, there have been unofficial reports that the opening of the Wal-Mart will be delayed until mid-March due to construction delays due to the weather.
- (10/20/2003) Guess who wants to use the
Wal-Mart parking lot? Yes, VDOT wants to use the Wal-Mart as a
commuter lot since it can't build a replacement for the one that's already
over-crowded. For more info, go to the NBC4 web site:
Wal-Mart Eyed for Commuter Lot
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(2/28/2003) The meeting with the Hensel Phelps Construction Co. went very well. There were no radical changes from the plans discussed back last July. The appearance will be the same as pictured below. In addition, they provided the following information:
- There will be cameras installed among some of the light poles in the parking lot.
- The will be a chain linked fence around the site during the construction.
- There will be natural barriers and soundproofing built into the back of the store to minimize noise.
- Construction will start around mid-March (depending on the weather).
- The projected finishing date is NOV 17th. The store is projected to be open in mid-JAN 2004.
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(2/16/2003) The Hensel Phelps Construction Co., who will be the general contractor for the potential new Wal*Mart in Dumfries will be having a meeting to introduce themselves to the
Southbridge community. They asked for an informal meeting with the people in the surrounding area of the Wal*Mart site to address any questions or concerns that people might have. The Save Southbridge Coalition agreed and the meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb 26th at the Southbridge Community Center at 7:00 p.m. Please write to dittinc@comcast.net if you plan on attending.
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(1/22/2003) The Potomac News reports on Prince William County considering placing limits on the building of Big Box stores such as Wal-Mart with in the county, for more, go to:
The Potomac News - County Studies Limits for Big Box Retailers
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(10/18/2002) Below are the artist's renditions of the Wal-Mart that will be presented to the Board of Supervisors. Please let us know what you think at dittinc@comcast.net:
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(8/25/2002) We just found out that Property Manager Mike Anderson has been terminated from Legend Properties. If anyone has word on the reason why, please let us know at: dittinc@comcast.net.
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(7/26/2002) The Executive Committee of the Save Southbridge Coalition met again with Wal-Mart and its representatives at Supervisor Caddigan's office on July 24 and here are some of the results:
- There will be no used car lot.
- There will be no plans for a grocery store.
- There are no immediate plans for a tire & lube store but there may be one in 3 - 5 years.
- The new plans will be finalized in the October/November timeframe. As it stands now, it will be a tan building with columns that match the brick Southbridge signs, which will be kept up. The signage on the building that are normally blue will be green.
- There will be iron fencing by the Garden Center.
- There will be decorative lighting that will be kept to only 30 feet high.
- The second driveway on Cherry Hill Road has been eliminated, so there will be only one entrance on that road plus the one on Route 1.
- Truck will be restricted from entering from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. due to the fact the loading dock is less than 100 yards from residential housing according to PWC rules. There will only be 4 or 5 Wal-Mart trucks delivering per day.
- A retaining wall will be placed behind the store with some trees kept and some trees added to form more of a buffer (about 100 feet total) between the store and the townhouses nearby.
- The new store manger will be introduced to the coalition and the community about a month or two before the store opens. Wal-Mart will provide the names and phone numbers of the company's chain of command from Store Manager and up in an attempt to foster good relations and make them accountable for keeping the store and surrounding areas clean.
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(6/20/2002) To find out more on what Supervisor Maureen is trying to do, go to her site at: http://www.dumfries.com.
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(6/9/2002) Here an informative web site about Kjell Inge Rokke and Aker RGI, which owns Legend properties, which is Southbridge's developer:
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(5/30/2002) Below is a Potomac News article about yesterday's events:
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(5/29/2002) Here’s the latest news from the meeting tonight:
The following is an update of the developments surrounding Wal-Mart in your neighborhood:
1) Unfortunately, Wal-Mart is still committed to building at the Southbridge site. Due to the land conditions of the alternate sites on Route 234, Wal-Mart considers them cost-prohibitive to their needs.
2) The good news is that there will not be a Sam’s Club or a used car sales lot developed at Southbridge. There are no plans for a grocery store within the next 3-5 years, but Wal-Mart is leaving the option open as to whether or not they would put one there in the future. However, pantry items and a few frozen food items may be sold in the store.
3) There will be two phases. Phase I will have the 143,000 square foot regular store on 25 acres. There are no plans to buy the other 27 acres in front of Southbridge. On the same 25 acres lot, Wal-Mart is considering building a service station and an automotive center in 3-5 years which would still require a special use permit from the County. In total if Wal-Mart builds its Phase II options, the total facility will be about 205,000 square feet.
4) Cherry Hill Road will be widen to accommodate a right turning lane.
5) Wal-Mart has agreed to either provide information or conduct studies on the following issues:
a. The impact on traffic with the three new developments in the works and additional traffic going along River Ridge Blvd.
b. Send finalized drawing of the artist concepts of the store based on inputs from the Save Southbridge Coalition and the County.
c. Research the local crime statistics and develop crime prevention measures and provide the Coalition with plans on how it will prevent possible crime in the area.
d. Conduct a sound analysis to the rear of the store to see is additional sound barriers are needed.
6) The Save Southbridge Coalition is considering and reviewing its options, including legal action.
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(5/23/2002) Below are some links about the PWC Board of Supervisors vote on the resolution to have the County formally ask Wal-Mart to examine the other sites.
"Move Fails To Halt Wal-Mart" (May 22, Potomac News)
http://www.potomacnews.com/news/MGBV9JCSI1D.html"Board Won't Help In Wal-Mart Fight" (May 22, Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/"Board Rejects Wal-Mart Resolution" (May 22, Daily Journal)
http://jrnl.com/cfdocs/new/pw/story
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(5/18/2002) We had a good protest today despite the bad weather early this morning. Channel 5 (Fox) came out and interviewed as we protested along Route 1 this morning. FYI, we will be on the Channel Five News at 10:00 p.m. tonight. After noon, we went up by the model homes and picketed there.
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(5/17/2002) Today’s meeting that Maureen Caddigan and Sean Connaughton had with the Wal-Mart Reps was very successful. Out of the 5 proposed alternative sites Wal-Mart has agreed to seriously consider 2 of them. They rejected 3 sites because they were too small for their needs. The supervisors have offered Wal-Mart several incentives to move to the alternate sites, including a special use permit for a gas station and lower tax assessments. These offers are only good if Wal-Mart agrees to move to an alternate site.
While this is not a victory, this is defiantly a sign of progress and boosts out hope to keep our neighborhood free of the Big Box.
It was suggested to us that we continue to keep the pressure on Legend and Wal-Mart. We feel that the best way to do this is to picket the proposed Southbridge location tomorrow at 10am.
John was re-interviewed by News Channel 8 and they have promised to cover the picketing tomorrow. We have also received many other calls and extended interest from other media sources. Fox Channel 5 and WUSA Channel 9 have also asked about covering the picket event.
So folks, here’s where you can really do something to help the cause. We need as many people as possible to attend the picket tomorrow at Route 1 and Cherry Hill Road from 10 am – 12 noon. We will meet at the picket site at 9:45 am. Please make a sign (no profanity please) and come join us. See you there!
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(5/16/2002) One of our neighbors found the missing web pages that Legend Properties is hiding when it pulled its web site off-line. Very useful evidence in the potential law suit:
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(5/16/2002) Eric Carpenter was interviewed by Fox Five News today expressing his opposition to the Wal-Mart.
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(5/16/2002) Marc Fisher of The Washington Post provides the following column on the situation at Southbridge:
With Developers, You Never Know What's in Store (washingtonpost.com)
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(5/15/2002) We now have a Special Operations (SPECOPS) page devoted to special operations such as picketing and protests.
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(5/15/2002) The editors of The Potomac News weighed in on our side in an OP-ED piece! Retail and Sprawl
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(5/14/2002) The Washington Post reports on our meeting last night in the Metro Section:
Wal-Mart Deflates Dreams of Subdivision (washingtonpost.com)
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(5/14/2002) The Potomac News provided us with front page coverage and details on what the Supervisors hope to do:
Supervisors hope to suggest alternate Wal-Mart sites - Potomac News Online
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(5/14/2002) The Daily Journal provided us with follow up pictures and coverage:
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(5/12/2002) The Washington Post reports on our struggle:
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(5/11/2002) The Potomac News has an article about the Urban Land Institute's study to improve Route 1. You may hear Supervisor Caddigan refer to it a lot on May 13th, so we figured you should read about it.
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(5/10/2002) Kate Bissell from The Potomac News writes about the latest developments:
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(5/10/2002) The Potomac News notes the political trend towards "Smart Growth" throughout Virginia. Politicians, read and heed!
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(5/4/2002) Today, several residents protested against the Wal-Mart project in front of the builders' model homes. They collected over 80 signatures for the petition to stop Wal-Mart. We'll be back in force tomorrow morning.
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(5/4/2002) The Daily Journal reported on our efforts to stop the Wal-Mart:
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(5/4/2002) Supervisor Maureen Caddigan's office added our issue to her Community Forum to discuss and comment upon. To see, go to: Discussion Forum
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(5/3/2002) John Dittmer was interviewed by NewsChannel 8 and our struggle was the featured story on the evening's news.
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(5/2/2002) There will be a public meeting on Monday, May 13, 2002 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Ferlazzo Building in Woodbridge, VA.
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(5/2/2002) On Yahoo, there is a web page with articles which can be downloaded at:
Yahoo! Groups : Southbridge Files
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(4/29/2002) John Dittmer was interviewed by Reuters News Service on the negative impact of building a Wal-Mart would have on local businesses and traffic congestion. Story to be released soon.
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(4/29/2002) 3 Letters to the Editor were published in the Washington Post:
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(4/22/2002) The Southbridge HOA meeting was adjourned early when many local residents questioned Board members on the Wal-Mart project. To quote Mike Anderson, Board President, "This is going nowhere." (FYI, the Board is controlled by a majority of Directors appointed by Legend Properties.) Many residents vent their frustration and start planning resistance.
For more information and commentary on the debate about Wal-Mart, go to: PBS - STORE WARS: When Wal-Mart Comes To Town and http://www.sprawl-busters.com and Other Anti-Sprawl Web Sites