>> >>PEGGY: Wal Mart issued a statement after yesterday's ruling saying in part it's good
news when construction teams are back to work and residents are a step closer to getting
what they have said they want; more job opportunities and affordable grocery options in their neighborhood.
Joining me is San Diego city councilman cave ud Alvarez, he represents district 8 where
the new Walmart is planned. Thank you for joining me here today.
Let's start with the basics. Do the residents in Sherman heights support
the Walmart store there in general? >> >>: Residents of Sherman heights and Logan
heights, this store is located between a couple of communities have been asking for a long
time for a grocery store for good produce, good quality produce, but also other amenities
like a pharmacy which is also being talked about as part of the store.
So absolutely the community overwhelmingly is in support of a grocery store coming into
the community. And the to the comment that Wal Mart made,
absolutely it's wonderful when peep rl back to work, and we're building a store that people
want. The better news would be that that the community
would be informed about what the pro poan pts, what Wal Mart is really deciding to do
in that neighborhood. >> >>: You spoke with members of the community.
You're actively involved in this. What is the maimger concern?
>> >>: Walls have been gun to come down on this icon conic site that weren't expected.
A lot of us have grown up going to, it's part of the neighborhood character so walls started
to come down last week and people got startled and people are just concerned that Wal Mart
is going to go forward with a plan that's not very trans parent. The community isn't
being informed as to what exactly the project is going to be.
Wal Mart has now decided to put up a banner with an image o f what the front of the store
is going to look like, but they haven't shared any real detailed plans of what the store
is going to be like. >> >>PEGGY: Did you believe personally the
building was going to be intact? >> >>: I have a public letter from Wal Mart
that states the iconic site is going to be maintained and enhanced.
The one thing I didn't know and I think everybody in the community found out, one o the two
towerÊ the specific site has two tower if you drive down the 5 freeway you can see if
t, it's east of the freeway around Logan heights. Wub one of those two towers was going to come
down. We did not know the entire walls were going
to come down and it was going to change as drastically as it has changed. The community
hasn't been informed. In San Diego we've had a history of griet
great communication between the public and those who are pro poan pts of prawj eblghts
so tha that the projects in the end really meet the demands of the community.
In this case, I think it was a poor job done on behalf of Wal Mart to engage the community.
>> >>PEGGY: What kind of community involvement would you like to see? How would you like
the commune community involved? >> >>: One of the things Wal Mart could do
is hold a public forum where they could discuss in detail.
One of the things they've decided is to go to a few individuals throughout the community
and explain it to them. The first time I heard the council member
who represents the area, was about two months ago.
So clearly they were moving on a path without really trying to engage the community and
so that's really what's the wrong in this whole situation.
The communication is really lacking. >> >>PEGGY: Do you think it's too late to
win back the trust or do you think they can win back the trust of the community?
>> >>: I think it's absolutely not too late. In fact, I've been telling Walmart in a press
conference that was held last week, let's get down to business, let's engage the community,
let's reach an agreement, let's all stand together.
When you announce the store is going to be opening, the community and Walmart and civic
leaders and say this is a great win win for the community.
Let's do it. It's not too late.
>> >>PEGGY: As construction resumed and if not, what's next?
>> >>: The judge issued a negated the restraining order and so construction can resume as a
result of that. I drove by today, this morning, and there
is work weeing done in the interior of the building I have not seen anymore walls being
demolished. >> >>PEGGY: Thank you so much, councilman
Alvarez. >> >>: My pleasure.