Wal-Mart plans annoy P.V. group

Despite opposition from hundreds of northeast Phoenix homeowners, retail giant Wal-Mart said it is moving forward with plans to open a store near Paradise Valley Mall.

“It’s ‘up your nose.’ That’s their attitude,” said Ray Bourne, a northeast Phoenix resident who adamantly opposes Wal-Mart’s plans.

The company expects to open a 100,000-square-foot store in January in a building on the southeast corner of Tatum Boulevard and Cactus Road.

The Burlington Coat Factory leases the space now but is slated to leave this year.

About 500 homeowners belong to the recently formed Paradise Valley Neighborhood Coalition, a grass-roots group that opposes the store’s opening.

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Dalia Garcia said the company “is hoping to be a good partner and good neighbor.”

The Arkansas-based company is the largest retailer in the world with more than 6,000 stores worldwide, employing an estimated 1.7 million people, according to Hoover’s, a business research firm.

Wal-Mart in recent years has come under criticism for the way it treats its employees, its business practices and the impact its stores have on neighborhoods.

Garcia said the company is moving forward with plans to build a scaled-down Supercenter, which representatives previously said would be an upscale store with wood floors and higher-priced items not stocked at other locations.

Bourne, who has lived in the community for 25 years, said he expects to endure “the noise, the parking, the crime, the traffic” problems when Wal-Mart opens its doors.

“I’d like to see them not come. I think it’s an inappropriate location for Wal-Mart,” Bourne said.

Melinda Hinkson, a member of the coalition, said members know they cannot stop Wal-Mart from opening up shop in their neck of the woods. They hope now to negotiate for better relations.

“If we have to coexist with them, we hope we can engage in a dialogue,” Hinkson said.

The coalition met with Wal-Mart representatives on Monday. The coalition is expected to meet again this Monday to discuss options and how to contend with the “big-box” store.

Hinkson said the coalition would oppose any big-boxtype operation, not just Wal-Mart.

Hinkson and Bourne said Wal-Mart doesn’t fit the character of the community.

Both said the retail company’s arrival signifies further “degradation” of the area, prompting more discount stores and lower-quality businesses to move in.

Nearby homeowner Jody Rhodes said she is concerned Wal-Mart’s 24-hour operation will decrease property values.

Rhodes, who bought her house in 1998, said houses along Cactus Road sell for $350,000 to $450,000.

“I’m not going to shop there, but I’m not going to move,” she said.