Wal-Mart Super Store coverage

Analysis:

All three stations did report on this public hearing on the late broadcasts. Channel 17 provided the longest story and the best coverage of the 3 stations. Channel 8 & 13 only provided comments from the Wal-Mart representative, while WXMI 17 also ran an excerpt from one of the Alpine Planning Commissioners and an area resident who spoke at the Public Hearing. There was mention on the channel 8 & 17 coverage about traffic and water runoff concerns and only channel 17 reported that the expansion proposal would conflict with an existing master plan for the area. Other than that, the only other information provided was some data by channel 17 on how many stores Wal-Mart owns locally, statewide and nationally.

There are several things elements missing from this story. First, considering all the attention that critics of Wal-Mart policies and practices have been getting lately that the local TV stations could have noted the criticism or sought out a local person who is organizing against Wal-Mart. Secondly, there is no mention of what impact the existing Wal-Mart has had in Alpine Township nor what the super store impact might be. Questions like how many jobs were created and what tax breaks did the company get are both reasonable issues to look at. The reporters could have obtained that information from the township Clerk and they could have looked online to see the economic impact in other communities across the country. These are important question since the Wal-Mart representative made claims that the store is “doing well” and that it “is a good fit” for Alpine. Lastly, there was no look into how the existing or new store has impacted local business competitors, or comparative impact in other communities, even though that information should be readily available. This is the important function of journalists, to take the time to investigate issues relevant in stories that gives the public enough information in order to make a decision on what the public will or will not support.

Story:

WXMI 17

WXMI 17 News reader – There’s talk of big box expansion on one of the busiest roads in West Michigan. Wal-Mart wants to tear down its store on Alpine Avenue and build a new Supercenter right behind it, but Alpine Township planners and neighbors are saying not so fast.

The issue discussed at a planning commission meeting Thursday night. Wal-Mart wants to open the new Supercenter in 2007. Nothing has been decided yet, but the plans are on the table.

Wal-Mart’s goal is to almost double the size of the current store to a 200 thousand square foot Supercenter. The retail giant is asking the planning commission to rezone five acres behind the store from agricultural to commercial property.

Wal-Mart would keep the current store open during construction then demolish it to make a parking lot. On Thursday night, the commission says the rezoning request doesn’t fit with the master plan because the land was intended for residential development.

“There has been no discussion of moving this line further west-the commercial line, which divides the section. Therefore Wal-Mart does not comply with our draft plan,” planning director Brendie Vega said.

Commissioners and people who live nearby are concerned about traffic and the need to expand an entrance road to accommodate a new store.

“I think it’s going to crowd the area for one, we’ve got enough growth out here and already got a store, we don’t need a bigger store,” concerned resident Steven Dolphin told FOX 17 News at Ten.

Wal-Mart says the new Supercenter will bring more jobs and an attractive new store to the area.

“That’s where the building fits and that’s where we would like to be. We want more room, there will be groceries there we’ll have a clean brand new store for the township,” said Mike DeVries, a Wal-Mart representative.

There was public hearing at Thursday’s meeting and several people showed up to voice their opinions. Commissioners just focused on land use, not traffic. The Kent County road commission will get involved on the road expansion issue if plans for a new Supercenter move forward.

Commissioners decided to table the request until a meeting on Jan. 19. If the planning commission decides to approve the rezoning request, then the full township board still has to give the green light.

Wal-Mart has Supercenters all over the country, state and here in West Michigan, but this would be the first in the greater Grand Rapids area.

Right now there are 14 Supercenters in West Michigan, 39 statewide and 1,700 nationwide.

Supercenters are different than regular Wal-Mart stores mainly because they have grocery departments.

Wal-Mart has become the world’s biggest grocery chain and the world’s biggest public company.

WOOD TV 8

Reporter – A plan by Wal-mart will be up for discussion again next month. Thursday night in Kent County, residents in Alpine Township came out to hear more about a proposed Wal-mart Supercenter on Alpine.

The company wants to build a new store behind the current Wal-mart but needs re-zoning approval. There is enough space on the current property, but Wal-mart says it can’t afford to tear down the building and put up a new one, so they want to build the new one first, then tear down the old building.

Wal-Mart Rep. – If they can’t build a new supercenter there, then they have to build somewhere else. The cost to close that store down for a year, it doesn’t make business sense to tear down, wait a year and have a new store open up. With that in mind, they’d be moving.

Reporter – The zoning commission is also concerned about traffic and water runoff.

WZZM 13

WZZM 13 News reader – New tonight executives from Wal-Mart were in West Michigan, trying to make the case for Kent County’s first super Wal-Mart. The Alpine Township Planning Commission talked about the zoning for existing property on Alpine Avenue, north of 4 Mile. Wal-Mart wants to build a new store on land behind the existing store.

Wal-Mart Rep – And what we are asking for is re-zoning, and we are asking does the Planning Commission think that a super center there? In 1992 you thought the Wal-Mart fit there, and obviously it did because they are doing well. The neighbors are shopping there, people passing on Alpine are shopping there. It is a good fit. We just want to expand it.

WZZM 13 News reader – No timelines for the project were decided on tonight. Alpine Commissioners will take the issue back up in early 2006.