Comments on: Ward 5 Walmart Gets Marginally Less Horrible

By: Bob See

Bob See — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 19:46:09 +0000

btw, unless someone shows otherwise, Walmart isn't designing these projects, the developer's architects are.

By: Bob See

Bob See — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 19:41:22 +0000

@Joey: Have you seen just how unwalkable NY Ave. is? One token "urban" development isn't going to change that, no matter how nice the drawings appeal to distant critics' dogma. Have you even been to this area? I have, when I went there to survey the former Brink's center (across Montana Ave.) for the building owner. Armed guards accompanied me as I walked by huge stacks of money. I mean come on.

By: Lydia DePillis

Lydia DePillis — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:55:33 +0000

@er - Thanks :)

By: Joey

Joey — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:50:27 +0000

I don't get it. Given Walmart's better plans for other stores in the area, and given the previously approved PUD here, are they consciously TRYING to ruin this area by forcing as auto-oriented a concept as possible?

Otherwise, why would all the retail be turned away from the street, and why would there be so many 15-foot blank walls along the outer sidewalk? The renderings show people sitting at benches along the street staring at a blank wall. Really?

They're doing everything they can to make this area feel as close to an exurb as possible.

By: Drez

Drez — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 23:48:09 +0000

And the other 30% are super-speciality hardware or lawncare or clothing items. Boutique shopping, really.
I haven't seen many stores make a living off selling just that sort of stuff. Usually it's a sideline borne of passion.
IMO dc needs (shoulda woulda coulda!) Formula Business Zoning.

By: Drez

Drez — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 23:42:18 +0000

T:
I'm at Target nearly every weekend.
They pretty much carry 70% of my non-grocery needs.
Wallmart will be much bigger.

By: IMGoph

IMGoph — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 19:12:18 +0000

if we're going to get a walmart (damn near inevitable), build to the highest and best urbanist principles possible, that's all i ask.

is that so hard? shouldn't be, if you're starting from what will be essentially a blank slate.

By: T

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 12:09:22 +0000

@Drez

Walmart has a little bit of everything, but certainly not a large selection of anything in particular. There will certainly be a niche for other restaurants and retailers (especially clothing). Their merchandise isn't that different from Target, which does just fine in the mall setting at Columbia Heights, and the (future) Georgetown location.

By: Drez

Drez — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 16:50:57 +0000

Isn't the whole point of wallmart that they're a one stop to buy everything cheap cheaply?
What sort of retail could succeed in the shadow of that?

By: T

Sat, 26 Mar 2011 14:58:16 +0000

This looks great... a huge improvement from the original version. Of course it's not perfect, it's great that there are multiple other retail spots in this.

Even if this site doesn't get residential, there are certainly many others nearby across NY Ave and Montana, and along Bladensburg which could add housing.