Big box dry humping in Sellersburg: In TIF poker, does a major unnamed retailer trump a minor named retailer?

Geez, this one's so breathless I could have sworn it was a banner at Insider Louisville.

It appears these professional, rotating development "pros" all learn to speak a variant of nonsense language: It's the best thing since sliced bread, but we can't talk about it too loudly ... and boy, you'll want to erect a plaque to us when it's finished, but seriously, let's not get our hopes up and all -- and meanwhile you know I like my fluffing slow and easy. 

Big Sales Pitch: Sellersburg hopes to attract major unnamed retailer, by Gary Popp (Alabama Business Fluffer)

SELLERSBURG — Sellersburg officials are working to bring a big-box store to the town, but they aren’t disclosing the name of the retailer as of yet.

Still in the early phases of attracting the business, the Sellersburg Redevelopment Commission met Wednesday to assess their next steps in getting the unnamed business to establish itself in the town’s tax increment financing district.

Mike Hostetler, the redevelopment commission’s president, said the project will be the largest commercial boost in Sellersburg’s history if it comes to fruition.

“There is nothing that can compare to this,” he said.

Hostetler said negations are ongoing with the retailer, and that is better for the community to not be privy to the identity of the business, until plans have further progressed.

“The negotiations are not completed yet, so [there] would be no purpose in giving somebody a name, and then it may not happen,” he said.

The initial public reaction is predictable: WE NEED THIS NEW PLACE TO SHOP DAMN IT BUT FIRST BUILD US MORE ROADS DAMN IT.

Then there's this.

It's a WalMart proposed for the west end in Louisville, and provides insight into pesky little things like principles, these being mere disposable flotsam for the gibberish-speaking economic dishevelment "pros." NPP provided these thoughts prior to last week's hearing.

Neighborhood Planning & Preservation (NPP) Kentuckiana

WALMART (Proposed for 18th & Broadway) CASE HEARD TODAY

NPP REQUESTS PLANNING COMMISSION DEFER DECISION on
CASE "14DEVPLAN1036and1400STREETS1004"

 ... NPP continues to be concerned about the lack of public input on this project thus far. Though we feel a Walmart does not represent the best use for this space, we have supported neighborhood efforts for an urban design--which could meet a broader range of needs in a community that has been neglected and undermined by needless destruction and sub-par development. Walmart has responded with urban designs in other markets (e.g. Washington D.C. and Chicago). Why not Louisville? There are many legitimate concerns about imposing a suburban design in an urban setting. Yet, there were no opportunities to discuss the ramifications on public safety and access among the public. Since taxpayers have footed the hefty bill for most of what has transpired at 18th and Broadway, decisions made behind closed doors suggests a willfully exclusionary process that was not in the public's best interest. The lack of accountability here is troubling.

That being said, we urge the committee to heed the staff report and not claims of economic benefits of said project. The short and long term benefits are debatable and should be addressed in a public forum---not solely among parties having a vested interest in this development. We would also ask the Commission to defer this case and instruct the developer to return with a new plan consistent with the neighborhood guidelines.

The purpose of the land use codes and staff evaluations is to protect communities from the profit agenda of a few, who may find it more convenient to ignore the community's heritage or concerns. We urge the Commission insist our guidelines be followed. Please compel the interested parties to return with plans complying with the standards before moving forward. There is still time to demonstrate a respect for our community that has been lacking to date. In doing so, we believe a win-win is possible for all concerned.

Perhaps miraculously ...

Zoning board delays West End Walmart, by Sheldon Shafer (C-J)

Metro planners delayed acting Thursday on a controversial plan for a Walmart superstore at Broadway and Dixie Highway and strongly implied they want the chain to redesign the site to put the store closer to Broadway and to reduce the amount of parking.

Kevin Thompson, an Indianapolis-based public affairs director for Walmart, said Walmart will consider a redesign. But Walmart officials asked the Metro Planning Commission to vote on the plan that had been submitted and said alternative designs had been thoroughly "vetted" and rejected —mainly because other layouts would be less efficient for operations and would likely reduce profits.

And we all know how important those profits are to the lives of ordinary Americans -- including those clamoring for more roads to reach WalMart.

The Walton Family: America’s New Robber Barons

Walmart’s ruling family, the Waltons, has more wealth than 42% of American families combined.