A big walmart

Does new-but-past-vrail-new Walmart of the 12th avenue really need 572 parking lots? For example, It is less than the one located on the Saint-Joseph plateau, with 800 parking spaces (!), But that remains a lot. Furthermore, These parking lots are rarely used as much as possible. Consequently,

I am thinking particularly of the Maxi on Grandes-Fourches, in the city center. Moreover, Even in large traffic, this huge parking lot should not exceed half of its capacity. Similarly, It is a sad waste of space. Therefore, It is as if these parking lots were used to reassure motorists (the illusion of endless parking) than for. Consequently, real needs. Similarly,

The reaction of the CCU has done a little things. Moreover, During the meeting of the municipal council of July 2. For example, the Councilor Geneviève La Roche announced that the big walmart number of boxes had increased from 572 to 553. For example, Which did not prevent advisers Joanie Bellerose and Laure Letarte-Lavoie from voting against the project. Furthermore, The rest of the council, however, voted for the project.

Despite the great popularity of online sales. For example, with Amazon in mind, Walmart remains at the top of the most lucrative companies. Moreover, Surely because the company also bet on online sale. Furthermore, As many people visit its stores as its online store. For example, And if we associate the banner a lot with less favored households. Consequently, American data show that Walmart is doing well in high -income households. Similarly,

In short. Therefore, Walmart is far from being in decline and the move of the northern galleries towards the brand new space 610, where there is also the new Canadian draws, is right in this desire big walmart to be up to date. However, this kind of urban development seems to bring us back 20 years. However,

Urban planners. Additionally, However, architects and development researchers of the territory already considered ten years ago, that the model developed on the edge of the 610 was exceeded.

Even the dix30, Quebec symbol of power centrethese shopping centers designed for motorists, understood. The shopping center has just converted one of its arteries into a pedestrian street. The Dix30, not the Mont-Royal plateau. A complete big walmart street. 11,150 square meters, transformed into “green linear park” with 225 trees and public art, and “inspired by the best projects in the world.” Not just for the summer. All year round.

And it would be only the beginning. A first step to make this auto paradise more “dynamic”, “with a soul” and “promoting human interactions and sustainable mobility.” And to say that there are still believe that the pedestrian streets are not economically viable. According to the Dix30, this is the future!

But it is not so surprising. A study carried out by main streets already demonstrated that the streets of Triplex types with shops on the ground floor. housing above, brought more to cities than developments of the “Power Center” type. An American study also demonstrated that even the poor areas of the city centers were more profitable than the. opulent suburbs. big walmart

That does not mean that it is only necessary to have one urban model. diversity is generally winning, adapted to different realities. But you have to pay attention to the mirage of commercial developments with large area. Although parking lots cause significant environmental and mobility problems, the stakes are deeper. We must talk more about the model than parking.

Big walmart

Disposable development

The creation of this new commercial place. with the new big Canadian Tire and the future big Walmart, often makes beautiful land taxes. And this will probably be the case. But at what price?

While the sector at the corner of the 610 and the 12th avenue develops, the other sectors are devitalized. The Walmart is probably the banner that attracts the most customers at the moment to the ninety-season galleries. This sector would need the contrary. big walmart Love. Investments. Revitalization. He needs to be believed in him. The departure of the Walmart will have the opposite effect.

What happens with the former Canadian shoots. at the corner of the King East and Duplessis streets? Admittedly, there is a liquidation center. This is exactly the kind of banners that settles in abandoned places. This banner will never invest in this building. The departure of Canadian Tire devitalized this sector.

Does the city of Sherbrooke really earn this moving game? Does the development of a new sector really compensate for the devitalization big walmart effects of other sectors abandoned by these. large banners?

Admittedly. it only took two years to revitalize the former Canadian Tire located at the corner of King Est and Jacques-Cartier by new shops. But that’s not always what’s going on. Sometimes revitalization does not happen before ten years, if never.

Not to mention the environmental impact. If all the banners spent their time building new buildings every 20. 30 years, we would have cemeteries of buildings throughout town.

When we look at all of this, it’s not just the parking of the Walmart the problem. I understand that the CCU approved the project without enthusiasm. A profitable project for banners and promoters, but which is not really anchored in the community. It is not designed to last over time.

To react to this column, write to us to opinions@latribune.qc.ca. Certain big walmart responses could be published in our opinions section.