Lowe’s too costly
Pete Maley, Former extension agent and city commissioner.
Monday, October 27, 2008
CAN EMPORIA afford Lowe’s?
To prepare for such a business at 24th Ave. and Industrial, a tremendous amount of work must be done.
24th Avenue would require widening, requiring additional right of way, paving, storm sewers and water run off would be required. Utilities, including water and electricity, would be needed. A stop light or other traffic control would be required and provided by the city.
What would Lowe’s bring to town that we currently don’t have? Will we have to give away our city to have them here?
With current economic conditions, existing Emporians cannot afford additional taxes and utility costs.
We hope our commissioners will think five times before voting yes.
bobhornet (anonymous) says...
Let's test this logic: so a national retailer has chosen Emporia for a new location. But the economy is bad, so we should say, "Sorry, not here"? Given Emporia's recent economic woes, I cannot believe that a former public servant would say no to more jobs and more economic development.
Lowe's is a wonderful company. My father, who is semi-retired and partially disabled, works part-time for them. He receives a competitive wage and benefits. Yes, benefits for a part-time worker! It seems to me that this is the kind of company we want--no, need--in Emporia. [I say this as a person with no stake in Lowe's. I own no company stock and have no business in their Emporia plans.]
I urge Mr. Maley and those who hold similar opinions to reconsider. This town desperately needs economic investment. Lowe's offers a great foundation to build on. Emporia will have to shun its provinciality if it wants to compete in the 21st century economy. Let's get it started.
October 27, 2008 at 6:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eiggohp (anonymous) says...
Don't get too excited about Lowe's coming to Emporia. This is just another "Christie tactic".....when Lowe's does their economic study of Emporia, they will not be interested. This is just the way Christie operates!
October 27, 2008 at 7:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporiateacher (anonymous) says...
bobhornet--I couldn't agree more! It is good to know that someone in Emporia has a brain!
eiggohp--Do you know Christie personally? Where are you getting your information?
October 27, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
What I know is, a developer, whether it be Christie or other developer, which is just another word for speculator, all these people are interested in is making as much money as they can make from their developement deals and really could care less what the costs to the business or city might be or if it will cost the taxpayers of who live in the city more in increased taxes, nor do they care or guarantee that the business that locates on the " the developed property" are profitable or long lived. As I said earlier a developer is nothing more than a land speculator and speculators and questionable speculation practices is why the country is in the economic mess it is in now .
I do know that if Lowes does locate in Emporia and as I understand, will be collecting 1% more tax than any of the other businesses in the area because of a TIF clause, I will very rarely shop there, why should I pay more in taxes at Lowes, when I can go 3 or 4 blocks or across town and pay less taxes, which means my total bill will be less !
October 27, 2008 at 9:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trainrech (anonymous) says...
My suggestion would be to check your facts.
1) New developments, regardless of type, require improvements to infrastructure. Hope you don't want to build a new house on an open property some day, given your argument.
2) The improvements to 24th to support the additional traffic, as well as the infrastructure improvements are part of the developers package. That includes the stop light. Granted, there is currently some concern about 24th St. from the east side of the property to Prairie. I do agree that this needs to be worked through/out.
3) You argue that Lowe's brings nothing new to town. Using your argument, we should only have 1 place to purchase a hamburger, 1 place to purchase pizza, 1 place to buy gas, etc.. But isn't choice what it is all about? We have several stores that sell hardware, but each has different strengths. I choose to shop based on those strengths.
4) You imply that our taxes are going up. How is that? Your taxes will go up if you choose to pay the 1% additional tax which would be imposed at Lowes by shopping there. The city will receive increased property tax revenues when compared with the current revenues from the property.
5) You imply that our utility costs are going up. The water and sewer service in the area have been evaluated and are considered sufficiently sized to handle the increases caused by the development. The developer will have to pay a fee for the city to make their tie-ins. Any further piping to get to the structures will be at the developer's expense. And isn't it true that distributing the fixed costs of ownership of our facilities across more customers should result in a decrease in the cost per customer?
I'd strongly suggest digging back through the Gazette archives to educate yourself on exactly what is involved with this development.
October 28, 2008 at 7:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Summer_Breeze (anonymous) says...
Trainrech, you have done a thorough job of presenting the facts about this development, and of pointing out that Emporia's provincial attitude is the city's worst enemy. Why would anyone be opposed to bringing an upscale, diversified store like Lowe's to town? Let's give Wal-Mart some competition. Let's keep the other hardware stores in town on their toes. Competition is good for the consumer. And developing the property, building the store, and running the store will all bring jobs and tax revenues to the city--what's wrong with that? Have more futuristic vision, Mr. Maley.
October 28, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Happiness08 (anonymous) says...
Thank you Summer_Breeze for the Walmart comment. I am sick of them having the entire market in this town. They also have higher prices then other Walmart's in town's with competition. We need a Super Kmart badly. Years ago we did have a Kmart in the old Big Lots building, but it was so small they often did not have the item you were looking for. As for Lowe's.....we need all the jobs we can get in this town.
October 28, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Happy...says "I am sick of them (WMT) having the entire market in this town."
USD #253 has the entire market too. Are they evil?
October 28, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dhcc66 (anonymous) says...
thanks to all of you who want a little forward progress in what seems to be a forever backward sliding town. nobody here seems to want to move emporia into the 21st century.
for those of you who don't want it in your backyard....those are most of the people who were all for the westward expansion of emporia until it touched them..then it has to all go away.... i would suggest to you who want the "country view" outside of your back window (mr symmonds and others), move to the country and let our city improve and expand
October 28, 2008 at 7:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )