Monday, June 18, 2012
The former Ionics building remains at on the land where Walmart wanted to put a new store, but recently pulled the plug on the project.
Now that Walmart has pulled the plug on the project proposed for the land between Arsenal and Walnut streets, the question is what should go there? The former Ionics building still stands on the piece of land, which has been vacant for a number of years. Opponents of the Walmart said they want smaller sized businesses or other things to go on the site, rather than a large "box store." What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
42.366298
-71.173332
95 Birch Rd, Watertown, MA
Location of Picture
/articles/visions-for-vacancies-what-should-go-on-the-site-where-walmart-wanted-to-go
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Friday, June 15, 2012
The controversial proposal will not go forward after Walmart decides the spot is not right for a store.
Walmart will not be coming to Watertown. Company officials announced Friday they will not seek to build the store proposed to go near Watertown Square. Walmart officials did not respond to requests for an interview. Walmart spokesman Steven Restivo sent out a statement saying that the two locations did not appear to be good places to open a store. “One of the primary deciding factors on any given site – whether it’s in an urban, suburban or rural market – is that it makes sense from a business perspective and contributes to our bottom line,” said Walmart spokesman Steven Restivo. “In the case of the Somerville and Watertown sites, we made a business decision that the projected cost of investment would ultimately exceed our expected return…
42.36481
-71.17874
Arsenal St & Irving St, Watertown, MA
/articles/walmart-withdrawing-its-proposal-to-build-a-store-in-watertown
/locations/7221001
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
The group cites poor labor practices, low wages as some reasons why the box store should not come to Watertown.
- OPINION
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Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Ladies and Gentlemen: We write regarding the proposed construction of a Walmart store in our community. The World in Watertown, established by volunteers more than 10 years ago, is a civic organization founded to protect and promote non-discriminatory practices in Watertown. Our members are committed advocates for the fair and equal treatment of all. For this and many other reasons, we would strongly oppose the presence of any Walmart operation in this community. Walmart is notorious for its poor labor practices. According to the New York Times, there are 1.5 million current or former employees suing the company for discrimination against women. A federal court jury has recently awarded overtime pay to 83 workers whom Walmart had refused …
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Walmart & more: Watertown Economic Development and Planning Director Steve Magoon will be here at noon tomorrow to answer your questions.
Developments are popping up around Watertown, and more have been discussed, including Walmart. Find out the latest on that proposal, as well as other projects and what town officials are doing to encourage developers to build in town during Patch's live chat with Watertown's head of Economic Development and Planning on Friday at noon. As head of the that department, Steve Magoon works with developers and hears about the latest projects being considered for Watertown. Before the chat begins, be sure to check out the story and leave your questions for Mr. Magoon in the comments section below. The live chat will be opened by 9 a.m. so you can leave questions there ahead of time and sign up for a reminder of the chat's start. Some recent …
Friday, May 18, 2012
Economic Development and Planning Director Steve Magoon will be joining in to answer questions about what's going on with Walmart, new housing and other building projects in town.
Walmart has grabbed the attention of many in Watertown, but there are other developments being built now and may be coming down the line. Learn about these and more when Watertown Patch chats live with Watertown's head of Economic Development and Planning next Friday. Steve Magoon will be on the chat on May 25 at noon. As head of the Economic Development and Planning Department he works with developers and hears about the latest projects being considered for Watertown. Before the chat begins, be sure to check out the story and leave your questions for Mr. Magoon. Some recent issues that have come before town boards include: Feel free to leave questions in the comment section below or email them to charlie.breitrose@patch.com.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Watertown Patch will chat live with Watertown's Director of Economic Development and Planning, Steve Magoon, on May 25.
New housing projects are popping up around town, there's talk of Walmart coming to Arsenal Street and now the Town Council is looking at adding liquor licenses to attract more restaurants to Watertown. Learn more about these issues and more on May 25 at noon (moved from May 17) when Watertown Patch chats with the man who has his finger on the pulse of development in Watertown, Economic Development and Planning Director Steve Magoon. Log on that day and send in your questions about what's going on with new housing, business and other projects in Watertown. Some recent issues that have come before town boards include: Feel free to leave questions in the comment section below or email them to charlie.breitrose@patch.com.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
A group of local real estate agents write that the proposed Walmart would hurt local, independent businesses.
- OPINION
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Wednesday, May 9, 2012
As real estate professionals we are usually thought of as “pro development, at almost any cost.” This, of course, is not true and couldn’t be farther from the truth with respect to a Walmart being built abutting a residential neighborhood in Watertown. Our town went through the thoughtful process of writing an Economic Development Plan that included the vision for the Union Market area, the same area in which a lease was signed by Walmart. The plan targets mid to larger size firms in information technology and advanced manufacturing. We feel that following this plan would be more advantageous to the town’s growth than a duplication of a big box store down the street. We are all aware that Walmart would adversely affect small businesses …
42.36481
-71.17874
Arsenal St & Irving St, Watertown, MA
/articles/letter-wal-mart-the-wrong-development
/locations/6974904
Monday, May 7, 2012
Dozens gathered near the site of the proposed Walmart store to urge developers to rethink the plans for the site off of Arsenal Street.
Dozens of Watertown residents rallied Saturday to keep up the effort to prevent retail giant Walmart from moving into town. "We're still here!" said Barbara Ruskin, a member of Sustainable Watertown, a group that seeks to protect local businesses. Protesters gathered on Arsenal Street, near a billboard saying "Imagine No Big Box," which went up next to the proposed site of the 92,000 square foot Walmart. Plans have not officially been brought to Watertown officials, but a lease has been signed on land near the intersection of Arsenal and Irving streets. Mike Mandel, who designed the billboard with his wife Chantal Zakari, told WBZ radio that he was protesting because he wants to see small, locally owned stores in the area that can be used …
42.36481
-71.17874
Arsenal St & Irving St, Watertown, MA
/articles/watertown-residents-protest-potential-walmart-near-new-billboard
/locations/6950057
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
The protest will be near the new billboard paid for by an anti-big box store group.
Days after the installation of a billboard pushing for smaller business rather than box stores being built in Watertown, the group that sponsored the billboard will have a protest near the sign. Watertown couple, Mike Mandel and Chantal Zakari, helped organize the effort to get the billboard at the corner of Irving and Arsenal streets, and they were able to raise more than $2,500 in just over 3 days. They received donations from more than 100 Watertown residents, Zakari said. The sign says "Imagine No Big Box," and will be up until June 30. Zakari said opponents to Walmart may have extra incentive because of a recent New York Time article detailing the store effort to hide a campaign of bribery to "win market dominance in Mexico." Among …
42.36481
-71.17874
Irving St & Arsenal St, Watertown, MA
/articles/protest-against-potential-walmart-in-watertown-planned-for-saturday
/locations/6922489
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Resident John McGinness said despite not winning the election, Mike Mandel's candidacy left a mark on the town and the proposal to bring Walmart to Watertown.
- OPINION
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Sunday, December 4, 2011
Dear Editor, It's inevitable that following any election the losers will always proclaim some kind of "Moral Victory." We're all cynical, we've all seen it, we all know what to expect. But this time it is different. This time we really did win. Watertown just fought its first battle against Walmart and Watertown won. When Mike Mandel first entered the race there was only one vocal opponent to Walmart running for Councilor at Large. Today, even Steve Corbett, probably the most conservative and pro business man on the council, says he is rethinking his position. This is not a coincidence. Mike Mandel's strong showing was nothing less than a shot fired across the bow of our government. Nobody doubts that Mike Mandel would have won if he was …
MV
4:46 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
And some DECENT BAGELS. My kingdom for a bagel! (Of course, Panera doesn't count for this one either). I wish Iggy's hadn't moved out. They're not my absolute favorite bagel but compared to what's available (nothing!) they're pure gold. more ›