A THIRD WAL-MART? Unfortunately, this location might not be the end of our Wal-Mart invasion! Some of you might be aware that Broomfield is planning a retail center on the northwest corner of I-25 and Hwy 7. We have it on good authority that Wal-Mart is thus far the only large retailer interested in becoming the "anchor" store. Smaller stores are reluctant to commit to building there without an anchor's commitment first. So be prepared to hear the city lament about how they have no choice but to accept Wal-Mart And if the council succumbs to this temptation, resulting in THREE Wal-Marts in Broomfield, Wal-Mart will own a significant portion of our sales tax base, thus "calling the shots' when they want something from Broomfield.

Example: The old Wal-Mart in Lafayette produced 17-20% of the city's retail taxes. So when Wal-Mart wanted to shut it down and build a new store on Hwy 287 and Baseline Rd, they told Lafayette to provide over $4 million toward that project, or they would take their marbles and build down the street in Erie. With almost 1/5 of its sales tax base, Lafayette had no choice but to jump at Wal-Mart's command. Is this the situation that Broomfield wants to find itself in? Why can't Broomfield find desirable anchors like other cities can?

We will keep you informed of further updates on this site.

Historical Facts:

• On June 26, 2007: the council voted 7-3 to approve Wal-Mart's Urban Development Site Plan for the Barber property, and to buy the Barber property and sell it to Wal-Mart.
• Broomfield is already surrounded by 3 Wal-Mart's within 5 miles of Barber's and is planning another store in the northeast corner of Broomfield at I-25 and Highway 7.
• Although the Barber land is only appraised at $7.5 million, Wal-Mart will pay them $10.5 million dollars for it.
• The agreement provides for an additional $4.85 million subsidy to be paid to the Barbers from sales tax revenues from Wal-Mart, as well as from the other businesses that will occupy the 4 pads that Wal-Mart will lease out.
• A $2.5 million Infrastructure bond, to also be repaid from Wal-Mart's and the other 4 businesses' sales tax dollars, will let Wal-Mart off the hook for much of the infrastructure cost.
• Terms were altered from March 2007 MOU: a greater percentage of sales tax dollars will be collected earlier, with the expected amount needed to repay BURA's obligations of $4.85 million to Barbers (plus 7.95% interest) over 15 years and the $2.5 million infrastructure bond (plus 4.5% interest) over six years, anticipated to be amassed within four years. (This amounts to $12.75 million of our sales tax dollars used to enable this deal)
• This will effectively enable Wal-Mart to close its doors anytime after four years without penalty from the City of Broomfield or a financial loss to them. There's no guarantee that our city will ever actually realize the whole $56,567,555 projected net tax revenues over the next 15 years.

Citizen Issues

• Wal-Mart has a record of damaging the environment, inadequate health care and insurance for their employees, increased vehicle traffic, strains public services such as police and fire departments, and health & human services, reported gender discrimination, violations of Child Labor Laws and employing undocumented workers. All of these issues directly affect the communities and surrounding neighborhoods in which Wal-Mart locates.
• City Council has repeatedly boasted of its commitment to the environment and the "Greening of Broomfield." Wal-Mart hypes its environmental efforts, but the reality of its deeds don't measure up!
• Council allowed Wal-Mart to accept semi trucks to deliver 24/7. What will be the City's and Wal-Mart's responses when the inevitable noise complaints occur? Small, leafless trees and a 12' wall will not adequately mitigate the noise.
• A binding "exit strategy," which would clearly prevent future boarded big-box blight, was not even discussed by this Council! How quickly will an abandoned 200, 000+ sq. ft. box be resold?
• A livable wage for Wal-Mart employees was not stipulated by the city. We are concerned as to how this will negatively impact our Health and Human Services budget, supported by our taxes.
• What will the city and/or Wal-Mart do to alleviate the increased traffic congestion resulting from this high volume Super Center store? The approved agreement does not call for Wal-Mart to pay for the "future" added through lane on 120th Avenue. How many years will the thousands of citizens who travel this route daily have to endure this traffic nightmare? How many additional accidents will result?