Get ready for lots of weeping, gnashing of teeth and rending of garments.
Channel 3 News has learned that a big Cleveland project is now in doubt.So here are two things to remember when the finger-pointing starts.
Wal-Mart is not coming to Steelyard Commons. The company announced its plans in letters to city leaders Monday. Steelyard Commons was to be a big box shopping center near I.S.G. steel in the Flats.
Wal-Mart was going to be the anchor tenant bringing other stores in. The company claims a city council proposal to limit grocery sales is not why it’s staying away.
Mayor Jane Campbell and developer Mitch Schneider are vowing to try to salvage the project and its jobs.
1. City Council had already backed away from its original ordinance to limit grocery sales in big-box stores to 5% of floor space. Council President Jackson's "compromise" proposal, a deed restriction preventing grocery sales in a Steelyard Wal-Mart for seven years, was originally proposed to union leaders weeks ago by Mayor Campbell and developer Schneider. So much for Wal-Mart taking care of its friends, ha-ha.
2. Building new stores does not create new economic activity and jobs. It just moves existing activity and jobs around.
More later, I'm sure.
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