I'm absolutely infuriated by the blatent, clear and calculated dishonoring of the St. Louis County TIF Commission's vote against this Walmart TIF by our local government. I will do what I can to vote them out.

Kudos to Shrewsbury for approving this! It's gone on long enough. Let's get the ball rolling! And for those that keep insisting that Walmart in Shrewsbury will have an "adverse" impact on Dierberg's in Mackenzie Pointe: I see that Dierberg's is still in business over in Brentwood, and going strong, and they're only a few blocks away from the Maplewood Walmart. Believe me, Dierberg's has its loyal customer base, and they're not going anywhere else. And the Shop 'N' Save in downtown Maplewood has remained strong as well. So let's stop all the hyped up assumptions! For those that are against Walmart coming to Shrewsbury, well, you had your say. But in the end, Walmart and the City of Shrewsbury, prevailed. So let's move on!

Jenn, did Walmart change Maplewood? Or Chesterfield or Town and Country, for that matter?! How is it going to "change" Shrewsbury? If it were a Target would you feel the same? Is Shrewsbury all of a sudden going to become the Pine Lawn/Wellston of south county? I don't think so! All the naysayers have this Chicken Little complex of "the sky is falling" over Shrewsbury getting a Walmart! I really don't understand it! Did the sky fall in Maplewood, Chesterfield or (gulp!) Town and Country? Nope! And don't say, "But it's different in those places!" HOW is it different in Maplewood, Chesterfield or Town and Country? I'm sure that Shrewsbury will stay "respectable." Too many people have this "Leave it to Beaver" or "Father knows best" 1950s nastalgic feeling about Shrewsbury. Wake up to reality and accept the fact that this is 2013 and not 1955! Things change. That's called life! I'm sure that if people have their way and vote the present city council out, Shrewsbury will become a stagnant little 'burb that has nothing to offer. And their 1950s mode of thinking will fall way behind the progressive surrounding communities.

Wal-mart or not, I have not been one to care too much.

It's just a shame that the owner of the property forced the city into a corner through lack of maintenance to finance the remediation of the property.

Unfortunately, there are so many open questions in regards to the project -- access, tenant relocation, maintenance, and timeline -- that it's very likely that Shrewsbury will end up with a typical low-end Grewe development.

As I've said before - Look out! The TIF will divert tax revenue for 23 years. Look at what was left of Kenrick Plaza after 23 years; it was declared a public nuisance.

I don't think that Gravois Bluffs is a "typical low-end Grewe development." Some of his others, yes, maybe, but hopefully the new Kenrick Plaza will be the exception and not the norm.

Why anyone would knock the opportunity to live in a circa 1950's neighborhood is beyond me, especially during these times. The ability to let your children run to the park, play street hockey, ride their bikes, etc. is something most neighborhoods are wanting to get back to. OF COURSE I want Shrewsbury to remain the Shrewsbury I've known for 46 years! THAT'S THE REASON PEOPLE BUY HERE! We are NOT Maplewood, or Brentwood, or Kirkwood... for a reason. If you want to live in neighborhoods like those, then please, move there. Heck! I'll be glad as a Realtor to help you find the house of your dreams in those neighborhoods! But, don't turn our small businesses here into empty spaces (as they have across the street from Grasso Plaza) just because a developer wants TIF money. Seriously? How many strip malls do we need anyway? Most of them are half empty. Just look at Yorkshire! You think Kenrick's going to be any different? Especially in 23 years??? Don't kid yourself.

I probably won't be here in another 23 years to know how this story ends. But, my heart goes out to my fellow Shrewsburians who will. The Mayor has sealed our fate... and her own future in this town.

PS: I hope everyone in Shrewsbury does their best to NOT shop at Walmart, but instead, continues to shop small businesses such as Lubeley's Bakery, etc. I will hate it if we lose Lubeley's. I love that place. Their gooey butter cake has helped me sell houses.

I don't see a reason why Lubeley's would go out of business just because of Walmart. Believe me, they have much better pastries, donuts, cakes, etc., than Walmart ever will! That's the reason why they've been in business for as long as they have. And the employees are second to none!

Yorkshire has a few vacancies, as does Mackenzie Point. Some of the businesses leaving Kenrick Plaza may relocate to those spaces. There are even vacancies in the lower section of Kenrick Plaza that's not part of the redevelopment plan. Maybe Sports Zone will move there. On the news the employee interviewed stated they'd like to stay there.

Yes, Jody, we know you're a realtor! You proclaim it in just about every response! No, I'm not interested in moving. Like you, I love it in Shrewsbury. Why should I let a big corporation scare me into leaving? All the Chicken Littles can panic all they want, but I'm staying!

Hope as much as your heart contends, but many many Shrewsbury residents will be shopping at the new Walmart, as will I. And they will also shop at the many small businesses around the Shrewsbury/Webster area. And don't forget that Deer Creek Plaza in Maplewood is redeveloping as we speak. Maybe we should discourage our residents not to shop there either.

Do you all know why the TIF commission turned this down? I'm guessing it's because another Walmart is not good for the county overall. St. Louisans need to get over their obsession with their own little muncipality and look at the long term success of the county as a whole. A Walmart so near the Maplewood one will most likely mean that the Maplewood one will close in the next 15 years, leaving an eye sore on Hanley. This is Walmart's classic modus operandi. They care nothing for the community they are moving into and will gladly find the next thing if and when the situation arises. I doubt they even stay the 23 years in Shrewsbury for the supposed tax diversion.

That's exactly what happened with the Sam's on Manchester in the city. Now it's over on Hanley. Muncipalities use TIF to compete with each other for tax dollars. It's a pretty maddening situation. Maybe I'm wrong, but now that there is going to be three home improvement stores on Hanley (one in Maplewood, one in Brentwood, and another in Richmond Heights) one will most certainly close. But why does Richmond Heights care? That's Brentwood or Maplewood! I find this all very ridiculous and self-destructive. Apparently these days communities just exist as vehicles for commerce and profit. How sad.

I live in Maplewood (didn't when the Walmart came in) and almost all of our crime occurs at Maplewood Commons where the Walmart is. Watch out.

As far as I know, Menard's is not going to build a store in Richmond Heights along Hanley and Dale. That entire project got scrapped, from what I saw on the news several months ago. As far as Lowe's and Home Depot competing against eachother and located in close proximity over that way, that's the name of the game and nothing unusual. Only the strong survive. And so far, both are strong contenders.

As far as the crime at Maplewood Commons, that's not unusual, since it's a shopping center. Crime occurs at all stores, regardless if it's in Maplewood or Frontenac. I'm sure that Brentwood Promenade and Chesterfield Mall are no strangers to crime. It happens all over. Do you realize how many pairs of shoes are stolen at the Shoe Carnival in Mackenzie Pointe in the course of a year? Does that mean we should protest the opening of a Shoe Carnival next time because they draw criminals?

As far as Walmart stores being located close to eachother in St. Louis County, I feel that all will survive because people want to shop at the one that's closest to their home. And concerning a Walmart closing, the one I saw that did close was in Town and Country, and it relocated several blocks west on Manchester Road at Hwy. 141 in another section of Town and Country. Imagine that! They remained in the same area! They rebuilt because the original store was small and outdated.

Jane wrote, "Our last Mayor pushed and pushed to bring the Metrolink Station to Shrewsbury and look how that turned out, or better yet ask your neighbors who live close to it. Again we were told we were over reacting, that the Board and Mayor knew best!"

I'm one of those Shrewsbury neighbors that sees the impact of Metro-link. I wrote about it in an earlier post in here. My street ends at St. Vincent, which comes up to Weil from Murdoch. There has definitely been a growing police presence at Phil's gas station. I also see many people walking (and even riding in hover-rounds) up and down St. Vincent. Last Summer my car was broken into and gone through. I filed a police report, but that's all the further it got. I have teenagers who I allow to walk to Dierbergs, Taco Bell, McDonalds, etc. with their friends. We've noticed over the years that there has been a change in the kids who go in the restaurants. Some of them dress and act like gangs and have forced my kids and their friends to leave the restaurant. Imagine that... kids from who knows where (?) coming in to Shrewsbury where my kids live and harassing them enough to make them leave an establishment in their own neighborhood. My kids don't do this anymore. It's sad.

No doubt once Walmart is in Kenrick I will be seeing a lot more "interesting characters" walking (or riding) up my street. Maybe I should start taking pictures so people actually believe it. It seems that some are in la-la land.

Ha... Probably. Parasols can be dangerous. I hear they are going to try to ban those now, or at least do background checks.

Frances,

The name of OUR city is Shrewsbury. And yes, many of OUR residents want to maintain the level of services that have been provided through the years -- including all of our recreational programs and facilities, (our ball fields that are used by teams and schools throughout St. Louis County, our summer recreational programs that are attended by children who live outside of Shrewsbury, our City Center which draws users from throughout the County, and yes, our pool. Also, many of OUR residents want to keep our own police, fire and public works department. OUR elected officals were elected to represent SHREWSBURY residents. While not everyone will agree with their decision, they made a decision to do what they felt was best for SHREWSBURY's residents--which is what they were elected to do. Kenrick Plaza is a retail center, but a failed retail center. No one can dispute that. While many argue about the cause for the current condition of the plaza, the end result is the same--it is a failed retail center located on a major commercial roadway that is conducive to retail---if developed properly. Redevelopment as retail makes all the sense in the world. Many of the opponents of the development (though I realize not all) seem to agree -- they just want an anchor other than Walmart, or do not want a TIF used. We have a wonderful community. I applaud OUR elected officials (yes, each one of them) for voting for what they felt was best for OUR community.

Our elected officials are not supposed to vote for what "they feel is best for our
community." They're supposed to vote for what the majority of the residents feel
is best. They wouldn't give Dierbergs time to submit a proposal, they didn't listen
to the TIF commission, they didn't listen to the residents. And they've wasted all
this time and money on what was a "done deal" from the beginning.

Mary, Shrewsbury did indeed give Dierberg's the alotted time allowed to submit a proposal. The representatives of Dierberg's kept wanting to put things off, thus stringing the city along. Grewe had the better proposal and one that was ready to go. Dierbergs' intention was to waste time so that Grewe would've lost interest in developing the property, and once that was done Dierbergs would've walked away from the redevelopment as well, all in the name of keeping Walmart out of Shrewsbury. And then the city would've been back to Square One. Nothing was ever a "done deal" from the beginning.

I have to disagree with you disagreeing that "our elected officials are not supposed to vote for what they feel is best for our community." Then WHAT are they in office for?! Your statement makes no sense! Yes, I do agree that they have to keep in mind what the residents feel is best, but at the same time they're in office to do what's best for the city. That's what they're elected duties are! I suggest that you read up on what the job of a city council is for.

I stopped shopping at Wal-Mart because they sell what is good for them, and NOT what I needed. Besides that your local Mom/Pop businesses are your neighbors.
Believe it when you see it. Wal-Mart will be gone when they lose their tax advantage.

Chris, you are absolutely right. I believe that Grewe and the former mayor worked out a deal years ago. I believe Grewe abandoned his duty to keep the plaza vibrant. He then petitioned the mayor to pay a company thousands of dollars to declare the area blighted, knowing that this would be the only way a big box store like Walmart would consider developing in the area. [The blighted statis makes a property development eligible for TIF.] Yes, one of the wealthiest companies in the world will not build without taxpayers footing a good portion of the bill.
TIF actually is a government program that was designed to encourage development in truly run down areas such as inner cities or rural ghost towns. But, just like many government programs that start out with good intentions, this one also is being abused. Many people wrote that they don't like TIF. Our TIF Commission said no, our mayor and board should have said no too.
Thanks to the two aldermen who really represented the people--that is their job.
I do believe the others really felt they were doing what they had to do--but, I don't feel it represented the majority.

In case anyone wants to see how long the previous mayor and city administrator had been in secret meetings, here is a document to ponder:

http://bit.ly/U58mXy

Notice the date. As far back as 2007, these two were having meeting with a developer. Later, they reveal that had been talking with Grewe.

It's ridiculous to say that Capitol (Dierberg's) presented an inferior plan, when the mayor was already secretly meeting with Grewe and wouldn't even let the aldermen attend the meetings over five years ago!

Webster-Kirkwood Times' time has passed. Patch, care to take up some real investigative journalism and dig into this sordid mess?

Jane, I didn't mean that there was an illegal deal. I just don't like that the area was declared blighted by an agency that does this for a hefty fee. I felt this was the beginning of the Grewe endeavor to push his agenda. We don't owe him a thing. It shouln't have been so easy for him to divide our city with his promise of new wealth. We are an amazing city, but not because of the revenue our retailers generate. I wish the mayor and board would have focused on wasteful spending instead of accomodating a development company and a not so responsible Walmart. I happen to think our taxes should be enough to pay our bills!

"Once Walmart opens in Kenrick I will be seeing a lot more interesting characters walking (or riding) up my street."

I was wondering when the race card was going to be used. I guess Shrewsbury shouldn't allow minorities in our quaint little town??? I mean, that's what I'm reading when you mention "interesting characters." Wow, talk about prejudice!

If that's what you're reading, then you may need glasses, because I didn't read that at all (and I have glasses).

Here are some examples of interesting characters.

The lady who robbed Dierberg's when she stuffed meat in giant pockets in her coat was likely an "interesting character," and she was at the upscale grocery. Wal-mart has nothing to do with it; density and number of shoppers probably does though. Then again, when PGAV showed the picture of a pile of soiled mattresses and used condoms stacked behind the old theater doors, I can only imagine that those were produced by some "interesting characters" to say the least.

Whoever manages the property should be responsible for keeping the "interesting characters" from causing issues.

Of course, when I cut through the Villas at Kenrick, I'm probably considered an 'interesting character' so I would have no room to talk.

Race card??? Wow. I've never been accused of using that before. Read it however you want to, Keith. It's your right to your perspective. No need for me to defend myself, as the idea of race never entered my mind. In fact, the kids that kept chasing my kids out of Taco Bell were all white. Either way, it doesn't matter. The changes are-a-comin' whether anyone wishes to acknowledge it publicly or not.

Appreciate your 2-cents Chris P. Nice to know someone took it the way I meant it.

Kills me how polarized EVERYTHING is these days.

Well, it's obviously all water under the bridge now! Walmart has been approved and nothing can be done about it but to accept the fact that it's coming. It makes no sense for people to continue to fret over so-called secret talks and imaginary deals made years ago by the previous mayor with Grewe; the mass exodus of Shrewsbury residents because they don't want to live near a Walmart; decreased property values; an increase in crime around town, thus turning Shrewsbury into a ghetto; interesting people walking the streets; the fear of Walmart changing Shrewsbury and fearing Shrewsbury won't be respectable anymore; people calling for The Patch or the Post-Dispatch to explore the legitimacy of the deal; Walmart allegedly bribing Shrewsbury officials to get its way. So many of these concerns and fears are overblown and unwarranted. You may not like Walmart and that's your right. You may not agree with the TIF and that's your right. Francis Soyer, I AM wearing rose colored "Shrewsberry" glasses, thank you, because I choose to look at the positive changes that Walmart and a rejuvinated Kenrick Plaza will bring to Shrewsbury! Here's my advice: Be patient and see what good things happen to Shrewsbury over the next 5-10 years. You may be pleasantly surprised!

Guess I've never been one to just sit back and take it, or accept whatever is being done. I firmly believe there are sinister behaviors tied to this TIF project, as do MANY people. For me, the fact that SO MANY seem to have an opinion about it raises red flags and is enough to warrant investigation. If those that are named have nothing to hide, then they won't care about an investigation. This isn't something I feel comfortable just rolling over and playing dead on. So, I will be keeping tabs on it and do my best to learn information as it becomes available.

I would hope that most people would want to exercise that right as Americans. I don't understand the apathy. I DO understand people's frustration and feeling helpless in the matrix we seem to live in. But, anything worth having is worth fighting for. In my mind, that means helping elected officials of Shrewsbury make better decisions in the future.... including if it means voting them out.

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

I feel sad that Keith and many others don't realize that what happened in the late 1980s that put us in a position of grovelling and handing out public subsidy will be repeated in 23 more years or even less if we aren't careful right now. Pointing out those that conspired, putting in measures to prevent future misdeeds, preventing lower Kenrick, then Rothman, then Shop n Save from demanding a TIF a few years down the road, forcing the developer to make a quality development as possible despite its opposition...these are all things that Keith feels should not happen.

The rest of us want to improve Shrewsbury and yes, that involves pointing out those whose negligence and behavior put the city in the bind we're in.

Jane, my answer to your first question is an emphatic 'No!' Citizens have the complete right to challenge or question their city administration when they disagree with something, whether it be a proposed development, a questionable policy, etc. In Shrewsbury's case the citizens DID question the city but, unfortunately, lost, in so many words. I never had a problem with my city's proposal for a Walmart and the TIF in the first place so I didn't challenge it along with those that did. I'm one of the many citizens that knows that Shrewsbury's finances aren't the best and that we need the redevelopment of Kenrick Plaza.

So Walmart is coming and I feel there's nothing that can be done about it but to accept it, and I'm wrong for expressing that sentiment? Well, pardon me for feeling that way! Just because you don't agree with it means a difference of opinions here. You feel that my comment is "quite childish and disheartening?" I wholeheartedly disagree! Because I choose to see things with a "glass half-full" attitude, instead of a glass half-empty one, makes me the bad guy? "Wow, just wow!" Because I haven't jumped on the anti-Walmart/anti-TIF bandwagon has people upset over my opinions because I'm not on "their" side. I really don't care at this point! I choose to see things in a different light and will remain that way.

Oh, and I would prefer to live in Shrewsbury any day, thank you! Maplewood has come a long way but I love the quality of life that Shrewsbury offers.

"Walmart allegedly bribing Shrewsbury officials to get its way."

I obviously misunderstood others' post regarding this, and it doesn't appear that such nefarious things are going on in your community. But the suggestion that Walmart is capable of that type of bribery is not off base. Here's an article from just last month that reports to have solid evidence that the CEO of Walmart knew of bribery occurring in Mexico (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/10/walmart-bribery-allegations_n_2448403.html).

Perhaps they don't conduct business that way north of the border (a big perhaps, in my opinion), but they are other ways to grease the wheels than straight up bribery. And sorry, I don't look too kindly on businesses that engage in such practices, even if it's "just" in Mexico.

I used to shop at Walmart and had no problem with them, but I've had a change of heart on the matter and have decided to take my dollars elsewhere.

Jane, I'm sorry if you thought my statement had a "nana nana boo boo" quality to it, because I certainly didn't mean it that way. You can read into it any way you want, but I feel you you took it way out of context.

In regards to Sports Zone, they CAN stay in Kenrick Plaza, IF they relocate to the lower part of Kenrick Plaza that's not being redeveloped, IF Grewe decides not to accommodate them in the new section of the plaza. I, too, hope they're able to stay up top in the new section, as they would be more visible there. At this point, though, it's anyone's guess.

As far as Kenrick Manor Drive being blocked off to traffic, that decision was made a few years ago because there were residents of Kenrick Manor subdivision and the condos as well that wanted to stop outsiders from using the street as a short-cut to get to Kenrick Plaza. They feared that it would create too much traffic (moreso than now, as it's used as a shortcut) and be a danger to children and adults alike. Then there were those residents that wanted to keep the street open for the convenience of getting to Kenrick Plaza. The city council weighed the options and decided to err on the side of caution. I understand both sides' point of views, but at the end of the day I feel that the city council made the right decision.

"there were residents of Kenrick Manor subdivision and the condos as well that wanted to stop outsiders from using the street as a short-cut to get to Kenrick Plaza"

This is an oft-repeated phrase but it is not entirely true. "Outsiders" (i.e. people who drive on Shrewsbury's PUBLIC streets to get to stores and spend money) can still get to Kenrick Plaza from Laclede Station by using the Lower Kenrick entrance. It entails about 500 extra feet of driving, certainly far, far faster than going through Laclede/Watson or all the way into StL City via Lansdowne.

Closing Trianon will have the effect of putting additional Laclede-Watson "cut through" traffic onto Weil Avenue, which is already busy as it is. Now, not only can people "cut through" Kenrick Manor to get to the new plaza (I certainly would) but now extra non-Kenrick Laclede to Watson traffic will likely use Weil Avenue.

You can't shut down one of two through roads without affecting the remaining one. And, residents who use Trianon often (I am one) now have to drive miles out of our way or navigate through the parking lot to get to Trianon. I see very little positive and a lot of negatives from closing Watson access. But the developer got a much larger parcel out of the deal, didn't it.

I can sympathize with both sides of the argument, believe it or not. But I feel that the right decision was made, since it entails the safety of residents who reside in Kenrick Manor. The lower entrance into Kenrick Plaza Phase II will remain open, as it shows on the plans. Eventually this "secret" will become well known, I'm certain.

I hope that the detriment it causes to the Affton School District will be after my kids graduate. It's a shame they've chosen to do this. Time to start looking for a better place to live.

How could this possibly be???

The Save-A-Lot store at 10047 Gravois Rd. in Affton's Grasso Plaza shopping center is closing effective Feb. 23.

http://affton.patch.com/articles/affton-save-a-lot-grocery-store-will-close-feb-23

Don't worry everybody; don't worry. Barry Alexander himself stated that Wal-Mart was not in competition with Dierberg's or Shop-n-Save, only Schnucks. Loss of traffic at Shrewsbury grocery stores will not be exacerbated by a subsidized grocery superstore a few blocks away.

Does this sound familiar?
http://www.showmeinstitute.org/publications/commentary/corporate-welfare/772-tif-and-columbia.html

Questions that I think that need to be answered with more information.
1.) Did the city of Shrewsbury actually search for other retail options before handing out over $15 million dollars of TIF money to Walmart?
2.) If so, did they actually offer that type of tax break to those companies?
3.) Did they consider the impact of loss revenue from Shrewsbury Shop-N-Save, Dierbergs, Shoe Carnival, Jiffy Lube, etc...?
4.) Is there any kind of agreement of repayment if Walmart so chooses to leave before the 15 year benchmark?

All very, VERY good questions, Shrewsbury Resident. One's you will probably never get honest answers to. I personally think that those who made this decision did so out of short term greed and NOT out of what is best for the long term. I also wouldn't be surprised if those who voted in favor of this, even after the TIF commission's rejection, will personally profit from this project. Something stinks in Shrewsbury and I am glad I will have moved by the time this project is completed.

Shrewsbury Resident:

1)
The city (before the current administration) sent out RFPs to developers. Capitol Leasing ("Dierberg's") provided a plan. In it, they requested 18 months to secure tenants. The city scoffed, saying that was "too long" to wait. In the meantime, the mayor and city admin had been in secret meetings with GJ Grewe (aldermen were prohibited from attending) for about a year, and possibly several years. In fact, they signed a "letter of agreement" with that company.

It was known well before RFPs went out that Grewe was working with Wal-Mart. This is a matter of public record. When asked point-blank about Wal-Mart, former mayor Gates acted shocked and said he had no idea what the resident was asking about. This is also a matter of public record.

It has been several years since then and the site is still falling apart. According to local businesses, ground won't even be broken until at least 2015. That 18 months that Capitol wanted in order to secure tenants isn't looking so bad.

I say all of this to keep it at the forefront so that citizens know what happened and can potentially prevent it from happening again.

Shrewsbury Resident:

2.) It was hard to say if tax incentives would have been offered, because it seems like Grewe was chosen by the city before any other developer had a chance.

3) Barry Alexander told citizens that e.g. Dierberg's "would not be in favor of the project, [but] they are not considered direct competitors to Wal-Mart." This is a matter of public record. Nobody knows from what orifice Barry pulled this prognostication.

4) No.

Again I say these things to point out that the die was cast on this development long ago.

I actually have a lot in common with some of the people on this thread who wanted the TIF, in that I think we need to make the best of the bad situation we were handed by the previous board, mayor, and city administrator.

Unlike many of them, I believe that the city needs to be honest and specific in identifying wrongdoings and mistakes. "Letting bygones be bygones" by not acknowledging that previous administrations allowed the property owner to let the property die, that it met secretly (perhaps even in violation of the law) with a developer, that it flat out lied to citizens on several occasions, and so forth, will just doom us to repeat the same mistakes over and over.

It may be painful for some people to do that, to point out who made the mistakes and exactly what they are, but if we don't, we are doomed to repeat them.

Not only "times have changed".
Why are/were local business owners shut out of the approval process, just because they live outside city limits?
"At some of these meetings, non-residents were prevented from speaking,"
Consider that most city and school districts get financed by "business commercial property taxes" (The years have made Business tax rates now much higher than the resident rates and taxes paid to run our schools and cities.)
If communities do not respect those businesses now inside their area and give them a voice in how the city uses tax revenue, Many will pack up and go elsewhere.
It is not the presence of Wal-mart that causes the exodus, it is the Tone-deaf ears of our leaders that do not listen to "CURRENT TAXPAYERS"---That includes businesses. It does not matter where the owner lives. That business should be treated and heard as a "Resident Taxpayer".
All of the Old style Taxing residential and commercial property system needs to be debated. Too many cities and schools are operating on Business and outside Federal Grant money. Frankly, every resident has the power to stop this nonsense by voting NO on any future tax increase requests.
That is how you control the Boards decisions. Don't accept city service cuts--Demand City Payroll cuts and keep every employee working.
Those are the NEW TERMS in these NEW-TIMES.
If the re-development is supposed to pay big dividends, then the residents should reap lower Taxes.

The only beneficiaries of Re-development revenue increases are Government workers Payrolls.
Need proof? Ask , if your Real estate taxes will be decreased when all this extra revenue starts to flow into the city. What is the projected net increase in Revenues from the re-development?
How is that revenue going to be spent?
Has anyone asked -yet?

Paul, there are projections, but primarily provided by the developer and cohorts.

And what do you mean, spend it on....there's ALWAYS something to spend it on! ;)

Oh Boy ! A new walmart. The 3 mile drive to the other location was just killing me !
I was thinking why doesn`t the city take money from our kids schools and then give that money to a multimillion dollar corp. And then the did it. Yeah Greed. Now our undereducated youth have a place to steal from.

Paul Revere, "brilliant" thinking on your part: "Demand City Payroll Cuts and keep every employee working. Those are the NEW TERMS in these NEW-TIMES."

WHY cut the employees' salaries? You think that would solve all the problems and then Walmart wouldn't have to be built?! Gee, you're smart. WHO'S terms are those? Yours?! Sure, let's cut their salaries and then they wouldn't even be able to shop at Walmart anymore! Let's cut YOUR salary (or retirement benefits!) and see how happy YOU would be! In fact, why don't you stop by the police station, city hall, the fire station and the Public Works building and tell all those Shrewsbury employees YOUR "big plan" to save money just so Walmart wouldn't have to be built. You know why you won't do that? Because you'd be run out of town on a rail!

"NEW TERMS for these NEW-TIMES." Give me a break! Like that would make all the world's (and Shrewsbury's?) problems go away!