Politics & Government
Readers Question Walmart Plans Kept Quiet by Dunedin Officials
'Please start telling us the truth, dear city officials, and please start listening to the masses,' wrote one Dunedin resident.
Update: The city issued a letter to Patch explaining its role in the April 24 meeting with the Causeway Plaza owner on June 27. Read it here: City Explains Role In Potential Causeway Walmart Market.
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Development plans for a Walmart store in the Dunedin Causeway Plaza that city officials kept close to the vest are causing an outpouring of concern by residents.
"This is a FAIL, Dunedin," snapped one resident, commenting on the Dunedin Patch article: Despite Denials, Walmart Considering Dunedin Causeway Plaza.
"Go ahead and RUIN the charm and atmosphere of Dunedin," was the sarcastic reaction of another reader.
At issue are plans in the works for the past 18 months by property owner Vijay Walvekar to work with the retail giant to develop a Walmart Neighborhood Store at the 35-year-old plaza.
The city recently denied rumors about Walmart development plans there. (See Causeway Plaza Walmart Rumor Just Not True, City Says.)
But the Dunedin Patch obtained documents from an April 24 meeting between Walkevar, planning officials and city staff. The documents showed that Dunedin planners and city staff have knowledge of, and are reviewing proposals, for a Walmart store.
Walverkar said in the April 24 meeting: “It sounds like the city does not have any problems with the new location?”
“Correct,” responded Greg Rice, city planning and development director.
———————
Development plans for a Walmart store in the Dunedin Causeway Plaza that city officials kept close to the vest are causing an outpouring of concern by residents.
"This is a FAIL, Dunedin," snapped one resident, commenting on the Dunedin Patch article: Despite Denials, Walmart Considering Dunedin Causeway Plaza.
"Go ahead and RUIN the charm and atmosphere of Dunedin," was the sarcastic reaction of another reader.
At issue are plans in the works for the past 18 months by property owner Vijay Walvekar to work with the retail giant to develop a Walmart Neighborhood Store at the 35-year-old plaza.
The city recently denied rumors about Walmart development plans there. (See Causeway Plaza Walmart Rumor Just Not True, City Says.)
But the Dunedin Patch obtained documents from an April 24 meeting between Walkevar, planning officials and city staff. The documents showed that Dunedin planners and city staff have knowledge of, and are reviewing proposals, for a Walmart store.
Walverkar said in the April 24 meeting: “It sounds like the city does not have any problems with the new location?”
“Correct,” responded Greg Rice, city planning and development director.
But Dunedin residents have had a different reaction. Commenting on the article, Despite Denials, Walmart Considering Dunedin Causeway Plaza, readers wrote:
- "Nothing like keeping your dirty little secret out of the public eye,for whom you are supposed to be serving..." June Kovac
- "Aside from there already being two Walmart Neighborhood Markets in the area, why on earth would there be a need for a one when there is a Publix right across the street? I agree the plaza needs a serious overhaul, but Walmart?" Cameron McKeever
- "Way to support the giant corporations, small town Dunedin. We don't need a Wally World in our city limits. Especially another grocery store ...Please start telling us the truth, dear city officials, and please start listening to the masses. We elect you because we trust you to make good decisions on our behalf and THIS is NOT a good decision! DO NOT GIVE IN!!!" Jennifer Auletta Lumm
- "Nothing says 'Welcome To Honeymoon Island' like a Wal-Mart." Tim Nolan
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