Four years after Chicago’s first Walmart was built on the West Side, the City Council unanimously approved a second store for the city.
Four years after Chicago’s first Walmart was built on the West Side, the City Council unanimously approved a second store for the city. The 150,000-square-foot super Walmart will anchor the proposed Pullman Park development at the Bishop Ford Expressway at 111th Street on the Far South Side. The 270-acre project is the brainchild of Ald. Anthony Beale (9th), who said the development would include another big box retailer, new affordable homes, a hotel, a school, and other smaller businesses. The full development is scheduled for completion by 2024. “This Walmart offers a lot for the South Side. It offers jobs, economic development and food. It hurts me to see our seniors boarding buses to go outside the community to buy basic services,” Beale said. According to Steven Restivo, director of Community Affairs for Walmart Stores Inc., the new store is expected to be up and running by 2012. “(And) over the next five years we hope to build a dozen or so stores throughout Chicago,” Restivo told the Defender. Mayor Richard M. Daley applauded the council for approving a Walmart expansion. “I want to thank the City Council for approving a Walmart in Pullman Park. Walmart will be good for our neighbors,” Daley said. Ald. Emma Mitts (37th), whose ward includes the city’s only Walmart, 4650 W. North Ave., said it’s been a lifesaver. “Walmart has been nothing but ‘good economic news’ for my community. During today’s harsh climate, people are looking for jobs and sustainability for their families,” Mitts told the Defender. “Not only do we now have the 400 plus Walmart jobs, we have created nearly 500 more with the opening of several new major retailers since the Walmart opened.” There are big expectations for Arkansas-based retail giant now that it will open a store on the South Side. “I expect Walmart to be a good, business resident on the South Side,” said Ald. Latasha Thomas (15th). And one union leader said he too has expectations for the nation’s largest retailer. “While we support a Walmart store at Pullman Park we will evaluate each store on a case by case basis. And as long as they (Walmart) live up to their end of the deal we will not object to more stores,” said Dennis Gannon, president of the Chicago Federation of Labor. “The community needs jobs and we need to eliminate the food desserts that exist in Chicago.” While the vote was unanimous, it didn’t come easy. Several Black aldermen expressed reservations about Walmart although they voted for it. “They (Walmart) have not demonstrated to be a good corporate citizen. They can and should do more,” said Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd). “I would like to see them pay higher wages and hire more minority suppliers.” She added that she voted for the measure because her constituents want a Walmart on the South Side they can shop at. Salary was a pivtol point for Ald. Ed Smith (28th). “Walmart will pay employees $8.75 per hour for 30 hours (per) week. That comes to $262.50 a week, or $13,650 a year. Who can support their family making that amount money?” Smith asked. “Now the CEO of Walmart makes $35 million a year, or $16,000 per hour. If Walmart can afford to pay its executives this type of money and buy their goods outside the U.S., then it should be able to afford to pay its employees a livable wage.” He added that he voted for the Pullman Park Walmart because he knows the South Side community needs the services Walmart can offer like groceries. Ald. Sharon Dixon (24th) and Leslie Hairston (5th) also expressed concerns about wages. “I’d rather have something than nothing while I am waiting on something better,” Hairston said. Low standards are what Chicago is accepting by allowing Walmart to pay a starting wage of $8.75 per hour, Dixon said. “I voted yes but reluctantly,” Dixon said. “We are responsible for bringing quality jobs to our community and this is the best we can do? More needs to be done.” However, one South Side alderman predicts there will be another Walmart built before the one in Pullman Park. “The next Walmart built in Chicago will be on 83rd and Stewart. You can count on that,” said Ald. Howard Brookins Jr. (21st). “I have not given up on getting a Walmart in my ward and will push to have my Walmart proposal reintroduced at the next City Council meeting.” Beale, who agreed with Brookins, said building a Walmart in the 21st ward first makes sense. “His development is ‘shovel ready’ and construction could start tomorrow,” Beale said. “He (Brookins) supported me and I plan to support him.”
Copyright 2010 Chicago Defender.
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