City of Jefferson officials met with Wal-Mart representatives Tuesday in the first step to bring the store to Jefferson. City manager John Ward met with representatives from Wolverton & Associates Tuesday where potential plans for the property on Old Pendergrass Road and the Damon Gause Bypass were revealed.
“They are representing Wal-Mart and they indicated that they plan to apply for rezoning on a portion of the property off Old Pendergrass Road & US 129 bypass,” Ward said. “We had a discussion about their plans, saw an initial site plan and then discussed dates.”
The company plans to submit the request in November for the December Planning Commission meeting, which would result in a final decision on zoning in January 2013 by the Jefferson City Council.
“While they will not leave any copies of the draft site plan until they officially submit, the plan that we saw kept all development along US 129 bypass and on west side of the creek that runs through the property,” Ward said. “A traffic study is currently underway.”
this deal in.
Ignore the naysayers, nimby's, cavemen...
This is a nice win for the city, all I ask is let's
make sure to include an access road like at Kroger and avoid
excess variances. I know this is a result of lot
of hard work.
Guess what Walmart means not only jobs but more SPLOST revenue for local government and schools !
But hey if y'all would rather see your tax's go up and having to burn gas to go shop elsewhere keep complaining !
Oh and the "local " business comments are worthless because most places can't afford to keep much in stock anymore... already dead.
But that isn't the point of this conversation. Those small business you named will thrive because people in Jefferson will always go to certain places to shop. Mitchel's is in no danger of closing because of Walmart. Last I checked there is no lumber department in that box. Even if it were, I would bet that shoppers like myself also visit Mitchel's because they know they gentlemen that work there come to know you and always have a kind word for you. They know how to help you repair your leaking tub or what kind of oil your lawn mower takes.
Our many service stations are in no danger either, if anything the addition of a large-market gas retailer will likely be good for gas prices in Jefferson. The lower the cost of gas, the more people use it, meaning the more they are driving around town. (I suppose if you're against fossil fuels this might be a down-side instead of a positive).
Yes, Bell's may suffer, however they didn't suffer when Food Lion opened years ago, it was Food Lion that eventually found itself with no customers. If anything, I shop at Bell's over Kroger more-often than not because I know there meat prices are heads and tails better than anyone else. Kroger will only serve as competition and might in turn provide better prices for local residents who shop there. It would be a nice change of pace to see lower prices in the meat, dairy, and produce sections.
CVS won't suffer either, they will continue to suffer most from over population than they will from having a competing pharmacy across the road. Example, the Hoschton store across from Publix (who also has a full-service pharmacy) is always busy, yet I never see anyone to speak of it at the Jefferson location. They simply compete with themselves for foot traffic.
Will it increase traffic in an already heavily trafficked area? Undoubtedly! That said that same traffic will also likely frequent other local shops and restaurants as well. How often do you visit Walmart in Winder, Commerce, Athens, Oakwood, or Gainesville and ONLY go to Walmart? I would wager it's less than 10% of the times you shop there. Rather, you visit other businesses around Walmart while you are out. Why? Because when we are shopping it's an ingrained habit for most of us to go "everywhere" and get "everything" while we are out rather than have to make several trips out to different business.
Let's not forget the number of jobs a project like that would bring into town. For the person who referred to low-wages and Walmart employees living on public aid, I LARGE number of the residents in this county already are! Having gainful employment, even at Walmart, means less people on public assistance, not more. A job is a hand up, not a hand-out! You're liberal mindedness (which is what I got out of your commentary) is so what's wrong with this country today. Let's not bring in more jobs because they might not pay enough. Sorry but no job truly pays enough. Even the rich have bills to pay, a good deal of them time more than they can pay.
Everyone needs to get over themselves and understand you're just gonna have to deal with it, whatever may come.
Jobs low pay but jobs.
Having local businesses = Even better, the majority of the money stays local. (@ stop complaining: new businesses owners have access to a lot of gov't help w/ resources here: http://www.sba.gov/)
Wally World = Trashy. Workers aren't treated fairly, spikes in crime, and pollution (a variety of factoids available, example: http://www.businesspundit.com/stats-on-walmart/).
Best of luck, Jefferson. May God grant you the wisdom and foresight to accurately gauge and choose your future.
Define progress define lack of progress. Define a county who is breaking our backs with taxes. But oh wait if you are only a homeowner without the 100 acres you pay more. The others get exemptions or paid for it to sit there.
Move further out no one will stop the train.
Want to talk about the empty buildings in downtown Jefferson? Have you noticed just how long they have been vacant? Have you bothered to investigate how much they are asking for them?
Let's talk about service. The coffee shop that opened just off the square closes at what time? And the restaurant that opened on the square a few months ago? Hopefully they have gotten it together since my first visit.The one time that I have been there was horrible and as I was leaving with my family I heard an employee there berating a diner about how most people don't really understand how steaks are cooked...
Walmart did not cause the closing of Food Lion in Jefferson or the number of locations that Food Lion closed. Will local businesses suffer if Walmart comes to Jefferson? Perhaps. Will it cause the 2 grocery stores in our town to step up their game? Yes.
Not all of us have to worry about getting our children to school before we have to drive to Atlanta to work. Some of us have to deal with the mess that the construction at Jefferson High School has caused. And some of us would welcome the tax relief that Walmart would bring to the residents of this town. Perhaps you should question the city officials that have approved zoning requests for the numerous vacant industrial sites in our city that are still sitting empty.
Please do not believe all that you read about the "evil" Walmart. Speaking as someone who has worked hard as most of us do and has benefited from the behemoth that is Walmart, I can tell you that having them in our community WILL be a good thing. How many of you opposed Kroger or CVS coming into our community? Did Jefferson Drugs close? Nope. Bells? No.
Let's welcome the 300 or so jobs that this company will bring to our community and welcome the tax relief and competition that they will bring.
And seriously, crime and gangs are going to increase? Again, here in Commerce we are doing just fine in those respects, and that is with Wal-Mart, the Tanger Outlets, Shoppes at Banks Crossing, and the strip mall near the Tanger center. I live five minutes from those places, and I can tell you that it is safe and secure. Yes, there are always idiots that are going to break the law, but they would break it whether Wal-Mart was there or not.
People complain and complain about the lack of jobs, lack of variety in shopping choices, etc. and here comes a store that will give you variety and bring in jobs, and you complain. Will there be traffic issues to consider? Yes, that is why a traffic study will be conducted.
If you don't want progress to come to where you live, may I suggest that you buy a piece of a mountain and go learn to live off of the land by yourself there?
Everyone gets excited about the boost in Tax Revenue and our taxes going down. When have you ever seen your taxes go down? Never, and they will not even with a Walmart. Oh wait, they might for a few of you....because your property value will go down. The fact is the tax benefits are offset by the cost of providing public services, declining existing business revenue and the property value lost with putting a Walmart in a residential neighborhood. Walmart also requires more road maintenance, utilities, fire & police time, etc.
Jobs Jobs Jobs…. Those jobs will cost you money. Many Walmart employees do not earn enough to meet basic living expenses. Some also lack health insurance. Guess who picks up the cost? You! It comes in the form of food stamps, Medicaid, etc.
Let’s talk Environment.
When it rains, the ground absorbs the rain. A 200K building or a parking lot isn’t the ground. A 200K square foot building requires a parking lot of many acres. A 12 acre lot generates over 309,000 gallons of contaminated runoff during a one inch storm. That runoff goes into our streams and sewer. It will not have to go far, there is a stream on the property. More cost for the city, more cost to you.
Traffic.
What can be said that isn’t obvious? Remember when they put the Kroger in? They honestly thought we didn’t need a traffic signal. City, county, state, etc had to fight just to get it and even then had to split the cost. I assume Walmart will have to pay for the new road improvements? Who then will maintain it? More cost to the city. The proposed intersection is most heavily traveled area in Jefferson. There are constantly accidents there. Can it hold approximately 10,000 more cars a Saturday or Sunday? Think that is high? Hopefully, it doesn’t get higher. Think about it. You can’t go to Pendergrass on the weekends. The traffic is a nightmare due to the flea market. Well, why not travel 3 miles and finish up my weekend shopping at the Walmart?
Loss of small business.
Our small business owners are invaluable to Jefferson. From Bells to Mitchells to The Straw Lot to the Pharmacies. These owners support us, support our schools and our kids. I just hope Walmart has an emergency number for their pharmacy for after hours. That is what we have now with the small business.
Yes! Walmart will bring money to Jefferson. It will also bring traffic, strangers, crime, trash, low wages, loss of property value, parking lot carnivals, empty buildings, tents, runoff and a loss of Jefferson charm that so many of us moved here for. If you want big box stores, move to a bigger town.
Source:reclaimdemocracy
Don't like Chinese junk? Well our gubberment pushed the jobs offshore. Regulations, taxes, greed.
Walmart welcome to Jefferson. There is no money to be made in a cow pasture anymore. Next can we talk Home Depot or Lowes?
And by golly Chic Filet why are you not here?
Those anti business wonder if the fathers of this hick place fought progress? Guess so the rail lines to Athens for passenger traffic gone.
Why can't we board a train to get to Atlanta?
As for the traffic, there are many ways to get around that intersection if it is that much of a burden to you. Lord forbid it may take you a couple of extra minutes to get your kids to school.
Do you really think crime is going to go through the roof due to a Wal-Mart being put in? Not a chance. You have to take the good with the bad people. Wal-Mart would be a great addition to this town.
These are owned by mega corporations who pay less than Wally World. They would not give you the sweat off their backsides. Talking about junk.
Like it or not the place is going to change. Demand a 25 year plan of growth. Don't have residential in areas that should be commercial. And the other way as well.
And this pollution? Read up about how much gas one cow puts into air!!! But some still like steak. And chicken houses .......
Pick and choose. The 129 corridor is begging for planned development.
WElcome Wally World.
Look forward to having you here!
I bet those complaining the loudest will be first in
line when it opens.
for Mitt!
The Straw Lot - been buying product from him for years. Walmart does not sell bulk.
The Ford Dealer- Never bought one there but hey Walmart won't stop that.
Maddox feed and seed - Walmart can not compete. They are great. Sound advice, good product, good people.
Restaurants from Mom and Pop to franchise - solid as a rock. Good food, good prices.
Kroger - Walmart will make them compete.
CVS - Death knoll. Want to say 2 years tops? Like CVS but niche.
Dentists, Doctors, Medical - Nope Wally World won't touch.
Hair cuts/salons- Does not everyone go to where they get the best service?
Mitchell - Where else would anyone go to buy lumber, and good hardware? Not Wally World.
Post Office - Okay.
Local pharmacy - Wally does not deliver or bundle to local senior citizens housing. Nope Wally won't hurt. Something to be said about relationship building.
The highway / interstate- Still be there.
Commerce - Can save us 4.00 gallon gasoline, less pollution closer.
DQ- An ICON Wally World nope.
Dollar stores - These are traded on Wall Street pay less than Wally. Horrible.
So, what else can we dispel? The nay sayers will be first in line.
So that I know where you are coming from....
The senior citizens will keep the local pharmacies in business?
I wasn't aware so many people needed pine straw in bulk. I don't consider 20-60 bales bulk, so what is bulk?
Does your dentist, doctor, medical include vision?
Not sure how restaurants compete with Walmart, but I'll bite..... where are these good food, good price restaurants? We usually drive to Athens.
Will not hurt many local businesses as Walmart can't offer the services as mom and pop drugstores, CVS, Howington's, Maddox,etc.
It would be nice to have a Longhorns, or Red Lobster or such at Jefferson exit.
http://youtu.be/Jazb24Q2s94
Thank you!!
Welcome Walmart with open arms. Locals will do just fine. And let me ask a question. Do you buy all of your family's clothes from local merchants? Highly doubtful. Jackson needs 300+ more jobs. Everyone is not fortunate enough to have a PHD, MBA, or skilled trade.
Many success stories in Walmart from working 3rd shift weekends to the corporate office.
Hard work.
Sugar Bear used to work at Jefferson House and June shopped at Real Deals all the time.
Just kidding.
Wow, the Planning Commission meeting for the WalMart rezone should be standing room only!
folks turned out for key debates during elections,
open forum for school tax increase, key council
and commisioner meetings.
We need to hold DOT accountable for traffic
study and ensure intersection modified accordingly.
We should demand to see written copy of traffic study
when complete. Let's ensure best practices of planning and zoning
are implemented.
And welcome to Jefferson Wal-Mart!
Has the Hamilton Mill Walmart brought crime to the area? It seems to have brought in nicer restaurants. A lot of upscale areas have big box stores. In fact, some ride their golf carts to shop them.
Now does anyone seriously think that as close as I-85 is to this county everyone on the roads are good model citizens? Can anyone say: major corridor?
Fight Walmart NOPE. Seeing just funny excuses on this site anti Wally World.
Wally World loses very fight battles.
Oh I know let's boycott Wally World. H a
Walmart comes in and wants to build at one location. Everyone get upset about that location so walmart says, O.K. we will move the store up near 85 if the city gives us....(fill in the blank)
Only concern should be if/when they abandon the facility. Hope they build it large enough for at least next 20+ years. Blight is old empty shopping centers that fall into disrepair, copper thieves and vandals ruin and property falls into category of out of code/compliance.
Beautiful Arcade. A work on progress for another 1000000000 years, in a time warp.
Yawn
THEN teach them there is a bigger picture in life of education, more education, and hard work. They can even achieve this while working retail. But with a vision.
Guy I knew and as a teen step dad put him to work in his moving business. Hard, no extra hard, hot, cold demanding physical exertion. Pu him through wringer. Then said; you can do this rest of your lifer or............ now he is not wealthy but ultra rich.
Since property values in Jackson County have dropped over 50% since their peak, I don't see how WalMart could have much more of a downside for you, but I understand your concerns. My opinion is that the proximity of additional shopping alternatives should help to raise property values in the Jefferson area.
I may be wrong.
put your kids in Private schools so they wont be in anyway put out, have the family driver take them to and from whereever and if it is far use your helicopter, or just get to work quit trying to run others use of thier property and start working to enrich your childrens future, maybe get a LOCAL job rather then spending three hours a day in traffic and the little extra pay going for gas and child care could be changed into spending time with your kids and buying things other then gasoline and give you an extra ten hours not driving each week........
It is not what one makes... it is what one keeps.....
Jobs? Yes, there are those. Can you live off their wages and benefits? I have yet to meet one employee who can honestly tell me they make a good living working at Wally world. Most of these are part-time jobs.
We see the "buy local" logos all through out Jefferson. Lets not forget this campaign to buy local!
Save a few bucks in gas? You'll spend more in the lost of property value, time lost waiting in traffic--including the increased dangers with 18-wheelers that bring the merchandise driving up and down 129.
Lets think this one through guys. I'd much rather take a 10 minute drive to Commerce than have that mess in my back yard folks.
Takes me 30 to get there and 30 to get back.
I hope our new Walmart is more updated with healthier food choices. Some stores are better than others. I also hope it has a hair salon that sells salon quality hair products. A nail salon could be good also.