Home Depot
May 26th, 2006 by Jim TaylorThe latest news regarding development is that The Home Depot bought the Winn-Dixie on N. Carrollton. They have applied to open a temporary store in the existing building while building a big box in the back. Since the site is zoned light industrial already, I was told by someone at the city planning commission that there is not likely to be any citizen input. Can you imagine the traffic?
May 26th, 2006 at 3:23 pm
Why will there be no opportunity for citizen input?
May 26th, 2006 at 7:22 pm
If we really can’t stop it, and that might be subject to debate at another time, we should let them pledge financial support for educational projects in the neighborhood.
May 27th, 2006 at 5:55 am
I for one am tire of driving to Elmwood when I need hardware supplies. I miss Harry’s Ace.
May 28th, 2006 at 8:03 am
I would have rathered a Lowes, but maybe this could be an anchor to get all possible restaurants around it to open sooner? We certainly didn’t want Winn Dixie to reopen there did we? They were horrible (garbage everywhere) neighbors for years, right? I am concerned about the traffic, but the question we need to ask ourselves is do the benefits outweigh the potential increase in traffic? The customers will likely be all Orleans Parish residents. Why keep giving our tax dollars to JP? (see new Lowes just across the parish line) BTW, has Bohn Ford abandoned it’s site?
May 28th, 2006 at 8:23 am
Jobs, jobs, jobs and think about the money generated for our city’s economy. What a boost, instead of all that money going to Jefferson. Personally I am for it. It can be done right. Neighborhood input is a must when it comes to that. The streets and houses surrounding the old Winn Dixie aren’t in all that great of shape. It is my hope that The Home Depot can help revitalize the area. Plus Harry’s was great for small stuff, not big supplies.
May 28th, 2006 at 11:40 am
Traffic congestion is of course a major impediment to any commercial growth that might take place. However, it’s not like new land is being swallowed up. Finally an existing commercial property will be utilized instead of being left as yet another ghostly reminder of a once virbant business lost in time. Being in the home repair & renovation for many years I am forced to patronize the Home Depots & Lowes (all in J.P., except the Elysian Fields store) I for one welcome their entrance into the community. It can’t help but be a boom to our economy both parish wide as well as for Mid City. It should lure much needed small businesses, leading to an increased tax base, more employment, local sponsorhips, etc. Sorry to see Harry’s gone, but it always paled in comparison to the big guys - in selection & price.
May 28th, 2006 at 12:34 pm
In certain areas of Florida (I think Gainesville is one) the city requires that huge parking lots have shade trees every so many feet (parking lot shade ordinances) so that box stores don’t become such a heat island and sea of concrete eye sore. Perhaps that’s one thing that could be considered. That was one of the many issues with the old Winn Dixie anyway.
May 30th, 2006 at 8:31 am
A couple of thoughts:
1. Carrollton finally got light rail (the streetcar). Does big-box sprawl re-inforce this or create a conflict?
2. The alleged tax dollars from this type of development rarely, if ever, accrue to the community. Lowe’s on Elysian Fields got a $3.6 Million! tax give-away from the city. The Wal-Mart development in the St. Thomas got $20 million in tax give-aways. Do you think Home Depot won’t be coming with their hand out? And how long before tax-payers see a return on their “investment”? Note that Mid-City already has experience with this. The Albertson’s on Tulane got preferential treatment and promised jobs and tax revenue. Now it is vacant and potentially a contaminated site with its underground gas tanks.
3. Taxes that may actaully be paid for this type of development generally go to off-set the additional police necessary to keep the crime in check and the additional city services (water, drainage, asphalt) needed.
4. Take a look at the report created by HRI back when the Can Company development was going in. There was a little known bit in there about creating a Big-Box corridor from the Can Company to the Winn-Dixie down by the Quarter. Think about that. Think about the traffic. The crime. The quality of life.
The community should think long and hard before buying into the “keep the taxes in Orleans” argument. As my grandma always says, “If it seems too good to be true, it probablly is.”
May 30th, 2006 at 9:16 am
I am not happy at the prospect of an anywhere U.S.A. suburban style chain business in our neighborhood. If we must have it, the city should make them improve the facade (like they did with the walmart downtown - brick warehouse style), plant one shade tree island per 12 parking spots, add special pavers in areas to direct pedestrian traffic, attractivefencing and site furniture and lush landscaping. Home Depot did this in Florida (Destin area) because the people there demanded it. I have photographs. We should be treated even better than Florida, especially in light of the fact that their store on Vets Highway is many times more profitable than any other store in the nation. But this won’t happen unless the City makes them do it.
May 30th, 2006 at 12:30 pm
Perhaps our new councilperson could be invited to address this topic at an upcoming MCNO meeting.
May 30th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
While on the topic of big empty sites in the neighborhood, does anyone know what is up with Thurgood Marshall middle school? Are there plans to charter or reopen it in the upcoming year?
May 31st, 2006 at 1:58 pm
new condos by jesuit
http://tommycrane.com/htdocs/Property%20Folders/4500%20palmyra/4500%20palmyra%20detail.htm
May 31st, 2006 at 2:04 pm
Although I would hate to see this stretch of Carrollton turn into Veterans, Jr. I guess an occupied box is better than a vacant one. Is there anyway to address concerns about the aesthetics of the store directly to the powers that be at Home Depot? I have very little faith that the City will impose any restrictions especially now. If we could find out who to contact perhaps we could start a letter writing campaign.
May 31st, 2006 at 4:01 pm
I’ve been very happy to be inconvenienced by the lack of “big box” businesses in the city. It’s a short, albeit unpleasant, drive to suburbia. If I wanted to live off Vets or Airline or Jeff Hwys., I’d be in the burbs.
I love the neighborhood businesses and the walkable community that we have. It’s a disgrace that this monstrosity will be built along the new streetcar line and the gateway to our City Park. If we must have these “tax dollars”, aren’t there hundreds of ugly, industrial sites in this city that we can utilize. (How about Albertson’s!) No one who shops at these “big box” stores cares about the beauty of there location. Why do we need to trash reisdential and small business areas. We’ve wasted millions on the streetcar line if we don’t intend to protect the integrity and the beauty of the route it traverses.
May 31st, 2006 at 5:32 pm
Reply to Paul re: Lowes - check out the one on Elysian Fields - extremely convenient to mid city from the interstate, and you get to keep your tax dollars in New Orleans.
May 31st, 2006 at 7:36 pm
One problem I’m noting going on is that everyone is starting to act like Mid City should be grateful for whatever bone thrown our way b/c we were flooded and are now down and out and unsightly and filled with street trash. I agree with those who think we should try to improve on the way things were before the storm (no more heinous, huge parking lot/seas of cement along Carrollton along the streetcar line etc) instead of turning into groveling and grateful floodeds desperate for the type of developments people in other neighborhoods would not accept.
May 31st, 2006 at 7:43 pm
People are already doing whatever they want in Mid City post storm with no response from the city. For example, I’ve seen several two story houses popping up (permitless) in people’s backyards. If Nagin and the council don’t get proactive quick, we will be living in the consequences of the free-for-all for some time. I’ve heard numerous people express the sentiment “do it now and they won’t catch you/ you know they won’t do anything about it later” — this seems to me related to the Home Depot thing… the whole idea of how dare we ask for any organization/order/aesthetic/traffic considerations b/c we flooded so everyone in MId City should take what we get (and also try to get what we can take/the “I think I’ll pop up an eternity pool on my front lawn while I’m at it” mentality) while we can.
June 1st, 2006 at 6:02 am
In and of itself, a Home Depot is not a terrible thing. I am all for an eclectic neighborhood of small mom & pop stores - that’s why I live in Mid-City - but that may be a little utopian. I for one am tired of having to spend considerable renovation $$ in JP. Plus, how on earth can it be worse than the awful Winn-Dixie? If this really is to happen, how about reaching out to HD and partnering on neighborhood cleanups and projects? And, does anyone else have a better, realistic use for the site? (ie with financing and a real plan?)
Anyone know who owns the shopping center across Carrollton from the proposed HD? (the one with the “Rainbow” and Harry’s) I would like to call and see what’s going to happen with that.
June 3rd, 2006 at 4:52 am
I really can not understand why anyone, including HomeDepot, would want a big box store in that location. the neighborhood I thought we were tying to develope was one of small businesses, low traffic , uniqe, and safe. How does a HD four blocks from City Park help that? The Albertsons location on Tulane AVE would appear to be a much better location both in economic developement needs and in neighborhood preservation.
June 3rd, 2006 at 6:22 pm
Re: Shooping Center across from Winn Dixie
I heard it is owned by ederly lady. She does not want to
fix it or sell it. Hope it’s not true.
June 7th, 2006 at 7:50 am
Why not the old Albertson’s site? That makes much more sense than the old Winn Dixie site. But how long would the abandonded grocery box next to Sav A Center remain vacant? What’s all this about the Walgreens at the former Robert’s site? The Claiborne/Carrollton Robert’s/Walgreens combo is going up first, will we get ours eventually or get stuck with a giant Walgreens? That corner needs a restaurant/cafe/coffee shop (Cafe du Monde?) with outdoor seating watching the streetcars go by. The endless concrete at Canal/Carrollton needs to be dealt with, regardless of whatever anywhere-USA chain takes up shop. Something is better than nothing. We can’t live here waiting for all of the moms and pops to reopen. Where are they? What’s taken these little restaurants so long to get restarted?
Sorry for the rant - there are so many issues.
June 7th, 2006 at 11:43 am
Home Depot is also planning a store at Claiborne and Earhart. I suspect the Albertson’s site is too close for both to draw enough business. The Albertson’s site would be a better place to relocate one of the true industrial companies now along the Lafitte Rail Corridor.
The zoning may not require citizen input but that doesn’t mean we can’t give it. Landscaping, facade, square footage, community outreach can all be requested/demanded/negotiated.
HD has stores from 45,000 sqft to 160,000 sqft. The actual store size will matter a lot. I think the Winn-Dixie is between 60,000 and 90,000 sqft.
June 17th, 2006 at 8:42 am
I agree with other posts that the Albertson’s would be a much better site for Home Depot.
It is larger and could accomodate all of the 18 wheelers that will be making deliveries.
I rode around the Winn Dixie and I just don’t see how it can accomodate a Home Depot.
They don’t have one 18 wheeler a day deliveries but many.
Then you have houses that are right there whereas the Albertson’s is truly in a commercial district.
I really feel we should urge Home Depot to takeover the Albertson’s site despite the nearness to their soon to be location near the Superdome they still will make plenty of money.
Something for our recovery planning group to work on.