The City of Miami finally approved Walmart's architectural plans of building a 156,000 square feet store in midtown Miami, Monday, August 12. The decision comes amid much opposition from local residents and a two-year long debate on the future of the big box store, according to several media reports.
Walmart's proposal was given the 'go-ahead' after analyzing their figures and plans. The city officials said that their blueprint complied with all the zoning codes. The company has yet to acquire building permits to start construction, reports WSVN.com.
However, the decision has not gone down well with the residents. Since the proposal's conceiving in 2011, a few associations and residents have been against the retail giant's entry into Miami Avenue South of Miami.
According to the Real Deal, the critics claim that the establishment of the supermarket would kill mom-n-pop stores in the area, cut domestic business while underpaying their own employees. They claim that the store will kill the vibrant neighborhood and also cause a lot of traffic congestion.
A dissident group launched a website called www.nowalmartinmidtown.com through which they constantly opposed the retail giant's entry into central Miami. Grant Stern and other members of the website were taken aback when the decision was made public, reports Miami New Times.
Apparently, sometime back in February, Miami's Urban Development Review Board was unanimously against Walmart's plans. In July, Stern met with Francisco Garcia, planning director of the city, to see the plans. He had then pointed out that the proposed parking lot violated zoning rules. He was sure that the plan would be rejected. However, the approval has surprised him. Grant and the members now plan to appeal against the approval.
"Unless there is somehow some mystery set of plans that they refused to show us on July 3... they are outrageously over the top. Walmart's plan is created to accommodate a suburb, not a high-density area," Grant said to Miami New Times.
Some advocates have already drafted a plea. According to the Huffington Post, people are planning to set up a fundraising page for legal fees at indiegogo.com. The plea reads:
"We have ONE last shot to end this monstrosity. We need to file an appeal with the city within 15 days or else all is lost. Once an appeal is filed, our case will be heard by the Planning and Zoning Board. This is the same board that previously rejected Walmart's plan unanimously by a vote of 9-0. They too were concerned at the total lack of transparency in the building department."
Check out the plans, here.
Meanwhile, Walmart counters all the accusations and negative criticism saying the new store will not only create new job opportunities but will also add to the growing retail business boom in the area and provide shoppers more choice. The company also added that they don't plan on fighting an appeal if any comes up.
Walmart's second quarter report is due Thursday. A survey by FactSet on a group of analysts showed Walmart could see its "profit rising to $1.25 a share from $1.18 a share while sales are expected to climb to $118.2 billion from $113.5 billion," reports MarketWatch.