Another Wal-Mart?

The building of a Wal-Mart Supercenter on a 23 acre site on Highway 13 and Country Club Road would initially cost taxpayers $7,350,000 in road reconstruction and $370,000 annually for the upkeep, according to an impact study conducted by a member of a group that is opposing the construction. "This is not values stuff, this is money we're going to have to pay," Gough said. "But if you care about green space and environment, there's a whole list of other things to deal with."

Gough, a member of Friends for Fair Growth and a citizen of Murphysboro, presented an economic impact study for the organization at an informational meeting Thursday, April 7, at the Davis McCann Township Hall in Murphysboro. The meeting was held to enable Murphysboro citizens to ask questions regarding the issue. "This might be good for Wal-Mart, but I just can't see how it would be good for anyone else," Gough said. "It is very important that we think about what is going to happen." One issue surrounding the Wal-Mart proposal is the fact that it could sell alcohol on a 24-hour basis. The Wal-Mart in Carbondale does not sell alcohol because of Carbondale's cap on available liquor licenses. "It would certainly be the preferred place for college students for cheap alcohol." Gough said.

The sole person in charge of granting a liquor license in Murphysboro is Mayor Ron Williams. He said he has not been approached by Wal-Mart about the issue. "We have not requested a liquor license," said Roderick Scott, a Wal-Mart community affairs manager, "As far as I know, that is not part of the plan." Many citizens raised questions concerning the effect the new Wal-Mart Supercenter would have on local businesses and Murphysboro as a whole. "We are going to be cannibalizing from other businesses," said Mike Mueller, a lifelong resident of the Murphysboro area.

The citizens in attendance feared for the future of the small business owners who are already struggling to survive in Murphysboro. "Why do they need to suck the rest out of Murphysboro?" asked Laura Basante, a citizen of Murphysboro Township. "They will affect the optometrists, gas stations, the liquor stores, the hair dressers, grocery stores and tire and auto repair." Mayor Williams defended Wal-Mart, reminding those against the proposition that in the 70s and early 80s, Murphysboro was a successful town until Carbondale began to develop and take away from the local business.

"That's not Wal-Mart's fault, that's not JC Penney's fault, or the mall's fault. It's the people that live here that walked away from the small businessperson in their town," Williams said. If the Wal-Mart were to be built somewhere else nearby, Murphysboro would not be able to recover economically, Williams said. "My goal is to protect the city," said Williams. "I can't afford to lose Wal-Mart in the City of Murphysboro. I want it within the city limits. If it moves a quarter of a mile east, we're lost, we're decimated."

The construction of the Supercenter on the proposed site would require the annexation of some private or residential land. John Hudgins, whose property is right behind the proposed site, said a realtor estimated his property value could decrease as much as 50 percent if the Supercenter is built nearby. "What I want to know is why there's about 10 or 15 of us that are going to have to bear the entire brunt of economic decrease of our property to allow Wal-Mart to come," Hudgins said. "That's not fair, I don't care what you think. Whether you are a 100 billion dollar company or whatever, you are invading private property and that's just not fair nor legal as far as I'm concerned."

Just this year, Wal-Mart announced its plans for the continuation of its aggressive unit growth for the fiscal year beginning February 1, 2005. The Murphysboro store is one of the 180 to 190 Supercenters that Wal-Mart plans on opening during the 2004 fiscal year. Wal-Mart is a multi-billion dollar company with stores worldwide. It is more specifically known for its cheap prices and one-stop shopping.

"We save the average American family, in groceries about $600 a year," said Scott, who attended the meeting to represent Wal-Mart. "We made 100,000 jobs in America this year. We gave 10 billion dollars to our associates in bonuses." According to the Wal-Mart news center, its more than 3,400 locations raised more than $150 million to support communities and local non-profit organizations. "We want to be a community partner," said Scott. "We want to work with the local people as much as possible. It's good business for us." There are six Wal-Marts within the southern Illinois area. If the proposed Supercenter is built, it will be 5.5 miles from the existing Carbondale Wal-Mart.

Scott said the existing stores are over capacity and that there is need for another store. "Because we have a good customer base here, we would like to expand to further serve the community," Scott said.

Though the Wal-Mart in Murphysboro is not official, the company is pursuing the option, Scott said. Meanwhile, concerned citizens search for answers to their concerns and questions. "I'm sorry, but I want to know," said Gene Basanta, a citizen of Murphysboro Township and member of Friends for Fair Growth. "This is affecting my community."