Daley Announces Two South Side Wal-Marts; Proposed Lakeview Wal-Mart Still Find Resistance

By Chuck Sudo in News on Mar 17, 2011 2:10PM

All Wal-Mart needs to to is build one store and they'll multiply like rabbits. Mayor Daley announced plans for two Wal-Marts on the South Side yesterday. Plans are for a Wal-Mart "Neighborhood Express" store to be built at 76th and Ashland and a Wal-Mart Express convenience store at 71st and Western similar to the one planned for Chatham at 83rd and Stewart.

In making the announcement, Daley framed it in terms of race:

“Why was it during this whole debate all right to build in the suburban area, but there was an objection to build in the city when it came to the African-American community, Hispanic community or the inner-city?” Daley said.

“It took six years to get here. Now, who opposed you? Who still opposes you? You’d better figure that out because, when construction comes, I want to see men and women of color on this job.”

Daley then tried to dismiss the long discussions to secure potential Wal-Mart employees a fair wage as another reason it took six years for the retail giant's expansion in Chicago.

Meanwhile, the drama over a proposed Lakeview Wal-Mart continues. Guess what, Lakeview residents? 44th Ward Ald. Tom Tunney is trying to help bring one to the neighborhood. Tunney is set to propose legislation to City Council today to downzone the property at 2840 N. Broadway, which would allow Wal-Mart to build a Neighborhood Market. Tunney told attendees at the Southeast Lakeview Neighborhood Association meeting earlier this week, "I think that if there is a motivation for them to come into our community, they will be, like any other retailer, welcomed under the zoning requirements that are there."