Hundreds Show Up To Attack Wal-Mart Plan

Wed., Aug. 28, 1996

By Jonathan Martin jonathanm@spokesman.com

More than 300 angry north Spokane residents filled a high school auditorium Tuesday night to blast a planned Wal-Mart complex.

The crowd was so large the development company representing Wal-Mart had to move the question-and-answer session from a library meeting room to the Mead High School auditorium.

Colorado-based CLC Associates promised residents they would minimize impacts on neighborhoods surrounding the proposed 40-acre development north of the Division Street Y.

“We want to answer your questions,” CLC’s Steve Wilson told the crowd.

But after more than two hours of boos, shouts and accusations, residents left unsatisfied.

“They don’t really care about anything other than money,” said Paul Rubens, who, like most in attendance Tuesday, worries about traffic congestion spawned by the giant center.

“I’ve lived here 36 years, but will they care if I can’t get out of my driveway next year?”

“We’d be a lot better off if you left us alone,” yelled one woman, who received an ovation from the crowd.

Wal-Mart is willing to pay for major improvements to intersections in the vicinity, including a traffic signal at Nevada and U.S. Highway 2. Other improvements are being considered.

“I’m sure anything said tonight will be taken into account,” said CLC traffic engineer Kathleen Krager.

Wal-Mart representatives say the 370,000-square-foot retail center will generate jobs and taxes for Spokane County.

, DataTimes

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