I think there are three (3) points to make.
One. Is the Walmart plan in compliance with the 2003 development agreement? No. Is the Walmart plan, in fact, fifty percent (50%) larger than what the agreement calls for? Yes. This issue alone is warrant for rejection of the Walmart plan, despite any song-and-dance made by Walmart.
Secondly, the City deserves a piece of the pie - no doubt. Our city deserves improved roads and infrastructure, increased funding for police and fire, youth services, as well as new parks and preserved open-spaces.
But what type of pie do you want? Apple pie? Pecan? Cherry? There are a lot of types of pie out there. And wouldn't that piece of pie be that much more rewarding had it been homemade in Hercules?
With a Walmart, you will undoubtedly get some pie. But with Walmart, every piece of pie would be the same stale piece of pie shipped in from Arkansas.
Finally, I am sure you will find near-unanimous support for utilizing eminent domain for this purpose. However, if the might of Walmart prevails (which would be wholly unfortunate for the the future of Hercules - that is why we are here), I hope the City stands up, once again, and demands of Walmart that its store meets the prescribed size limit called out in the development agreement, but also, that the Walmart's storefront be designed in the local vernacular of the neighborhood that so many people have tried so hard to maintain. The architectual aspects of the building should mesh with the language and fabric of the neighborhood that it resides.
And one last question: In five years time, when the first ferry from San Francisco arrives at our shore, what do you want people to see? Do you want travelers aboard anticipating their arrival in Hercules, home of the Walmart on the Bay, or do you want the city to become a destination with a waterfront that rivals the best the Bay Area offers?
In closing - Walmart is not good for Hercules - at the current proposed site or anywhere else (there is a Walmart in Vallejo and Martinez, and they are planning one in Hilltop; no one needs a Walmart here).
And please, I believe I speak for the majority of residents when I ask you to do anything and everything in your power to stop Walmart.
We support you.
