This article ran in  ECHO newspaper in November 1999.
 

More than two years ago, Brass Inc. initiated a proposal to put a superstore on Fifth Street Extended.  Accompanying the original proposal were pictures of multi-story commercial developments and references to "new urbanist" designers.  Judging from the proposal, it appeared that Brass Inc. wanted to build a pedestrian oriented shopping center.  But at the bottom line was a request for a 210,000 square foot superstore – nearly 50% larger than the monstrous Lowes which is currently the largest commercial building in Albemarle County.  While Brass Inc. suggested that they were willing to pursue mixed use designs and protect old growth trees, they bitterly protested any time language was drafted that would require them to actually implement their own suggestions.  It seems developers have an extraordinary affection for voluntary restrictions.

From the beginning the proposal met resistance.  The public hearings were consistently packed by opponents to the proposal.  The Planning Commission suggested that the primary objections to the plan were aesthetic, that people feared it would look ugly.  As the issue went before the Supervisors, it became unmistakably clear that the concerns reached far beyond the facade.  Superstores spur strip development; gas stations, repair shops, and fast food restaurants follow on their heals.  The Supervisors received an enormous number of phone calls, emails, and letters from people concerned about commercial sprawl.
As public sentiment against the proposal grew, Brass Inc. knew they did not have a majority of Supervisors on their side.  They withdrew their proposal hours before the vote.  The stopping of this gargantuan superstore was the direct result of tremendous public involvement.  Were it not for everyone who called and emailed the Supervisors, they would have made a decision months ago, and the bulldozers would be on their way.

Each battle against a foolish development proposal takes a great deal of work.  We may win some, but ultimately, we have to create a pro-active alternative.  We have to support our local economy and culture.  The superstores have done an excellent job of creating the illusion that their prices are substantially lower.  In reality, they tag toothpaste, toilet paper, and other items people are familiar with at very low prices while placing stiff mark-ups on larger items.  Other tricks they use include packaging consumables in smaller packages and selling cheap durables goods that look exactly like higher quality products.  Wal-Mart in particular has been tried and convicted a number of times for unfair trade practices.  Wal-Mart also engages in free-lance social engineering by closely censoring the books and videos they sell and refusing to sell recently introduced "day after" drugs that are used to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

If it's cheap social poison the big boxes sell, is that really a bargain?  By supporting local business and promoting local culture, you are getting more than you pay for.

The Community Economics column has been written by Tradelocal, and group of citizens working to build local economy, promote local culture, and protect the environment.  Tradelocal can be reached at www.tradelocal.org, tradelocal@flahsmail.com, or mail to 912 Woodfolk Drive, Charlottesville VA, 22902.