The Emporia Gazette

City commission votes to create TIF redevelopment district

Justthefacts-

Im sorry to inform you that I do NOT work at Sutherlands. I am just trying to be understanding of the situation. I am glad that you explained your problems because now I do understand what you are talking about. I was only hoping that you had more than one reason.
Thank you for sharing.

October 17, 2008 at 10:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

City commission votes to create TIF redevelopment district

I am also very confident in saying that I am going to BLOW AWAY any competition in my current department just because of the knowledge and friendliness that is offered. I actually take each customer in to my heart and help them get what fits their needs, not just what I would like to sell them. Lowes will be working off of strict commission just like the rest of the stores in the chain. It's hard to buy from a salesman that is only looking out for him/herself.

October 16, 2008 at 6:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

City commission votes to create TIF redevelopment district

And I have done a lot of researching... The prices at Lowes will have to be less than at the Topeka store if they wish to compete. Their prices are higher than almost all of the competitors in town.

October 16, 2008 at 6:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

City commission votes to create TIF redevelopment district

Shadou-

I was only making a comment to the above, create and Maximus. It seems like the are basing their future votes on one issue. I do agree with what you are saying. But if we always hold one mistake again a person then we wouldn't ever vote for anyone.... Every politician makes mistakes and whats done is done. I am sure that ALL of the commissioners will be effected in both good and bad ways. They will see the faults in the decision from every angle.

I do agree completely! This was set in stone WAY before the meeting. They were not interested in anyone's opinion if they did not feel that it was going to benefit themselves.
I do predict that once the building gets underway, the city will hear from all of the families in the area. The noises will be annoying and machinery will get in the way. There isn't a way that anyone could say it will not be a mess.

Free4all-

I do agree with that statement. The empty buildings are not the greatest sites. The need to be cleaned up or taken out. It's just like flipping a house, it can be done! I do, however, believe that Lowes would turn down a perfectly clean building just because they can.

October 16, 2008 at 6:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

City commission votes to create TIF redevelopment district

JUST THE FACTS

I do hope that Sutherlands has done something else to you besides speaking their voices about this ordeal. Many of us wanted to speak out but did not want to see the customers turn on us like I am understanding you are doing. If the only reason that you will not visit that store again is because of the meeting, you have some issues of your own. I do believe we live in a country that does have freedom of speech (which is how we are all sharing these thoughts).

And no one should say that they will or will not vote for the current commissioners JUST because of one voting disagreement. I am sure that both sides thought about what they would be doing to the town and to their own reputations, just like the people that spoke at the meeting.

No one should be criticized for voicing any opinion. Right or wrong.

October 16, 2008 at 5:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

City commission votes to create TIF redevelopment district

WOW!!! This is such a MESS!! Does anyone not see that this one stupid issue is tearing apart a town? I work at one of these 'older' locations and I am not afraid of competition. I actually am looking forward to Lowes coming to town for the simple fact that it will push us all harder to sell and gain more knowledge at the store. Everyone that I work with at the moment is not afraid of competition, we just believe that the location sounds ridiculous and that the tax incentive is not necessary for the company it is being offered to.

What happens if Lowe's can not be supported by the economy around the area and only lasts 5 years?

I also will be a neighbor of Lowes and I am not looking forward to it for the simple fact that my family will be effected immensely. I will not feel as safe with my kids riding their bikes in the area. They are very cautious kids but not many drivers are. The traffic is already ridiculous with the closing of Graphic Arts. So I do ask one thing. PLEASE get all of the roads ready before this store opens. Re open Graphic Arts and place a few more turning lanes and signals down Industrial. It is very difficult to turn left when you are going South.

Even if I did not work where I do, I would be against the location. In my opinion, the new development would be best fit out the Western part of town like originally planned. It would be an interstate attraction. People would exit and get to that destination with ease. Instead, they will have to add to the traffic of the already chaotic Industrial. Think about this... How many of you have problems when you are simply trying to get to or from work and you have the long lines behind the high school traffic to deal with? How many wrecks have us experienced drivers had to avoid by hitting our breaks because of inexperienced drivers? And sit at the intersections praying that we do not get struck by someone running the red lights? It is ALREADY an issue that is not getting fixed.

Once again, I work at a competitor and we have had meetings with other stores. NO ONE is afraid of the competition. I will agree with a few of you, competition is at times necessary. And I do feel confident that in time everything will even itself out. I am only worried that the development will not be as big as everyone imagines it will end up. What if other stores decide we are not a big enough retail market? Can we at least see what stores would be willing?

October 16, 2008 at 5:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Developement will benefit ESU

There are MANY businesses to be effected by this whole ordeal. Sutherlands would be the most comparible around Emporia to what a Lowes would be. I highly doubt that ANYONE involved with that store is scared of competition, especially Mr. Sutherland himself. Atleast he is voicing his opinion on the subject.

Yes, if the proposal passes and the new development is built, EVERY business in town will see a decline in sales. But this does not mean that Lowes will continue to keep the business after everyone sees that the prices are NOT lower and that the competitors can offer more quality service. I am not saying that more employment opportunities around the area wouldn't be nice to see, but the part time associates that Dr Lane has suggested to fill the positions may not work out like he thinks. When you consider how much it takes to be a full time student, you will see that the 'Big Box' will not be a very good fit. Students need flexibility. They need a place that can easily fill their spot at last minute. Last minute deadlines to be met and lack of responsibility are two main reasons for this. I'm not stating that students could not handle the stress, but not many want to.

Sure they say that other businesses will follow. But have they even mentioned any that would be willing? The economy is already suffering, does anyone really expect the area to keep expanding with the way things are?

There are so many things to consider with the new development and it seems to me that only a few are being looked at. Look at the whole picture! You can't have positives without negatives. Are the negative effects less important than the positives? The surrounding homes and families, for the most part, do not seem to be in agreement with the site. It will change the lifestyle that is set in the area dramatically! Industrial is already a chaotic mess... Why would anyone want to add to it?

October 13, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )