Tracy Press

We can supersize our expectations, starting now.

With four hours of public comment at the City Council meeting last week, it would have been easy to miss the point a consultant made about aesthetics. At issue was the proposal for a Wal-Mart supercenter that would take Tracy’s existing 125,000-square-foot Wal-Mart and expand it to a 208,000-square-foot store, with 30,000 square feet for groceries.

Jim Watt, who represents a local shopping center that opposes the supercenter, asked the council to take a look at the “superior” architecture and design of the American Canyon Wal-Mart Supercenter, rather than settle for the stucco-and-brick façade of the existing Wal-Mart.

Near the end of the hearing, Wal-Mart attorney Miriam Montesinos tried to counter the consultant’s comment about the supercenter near Napa, one she described as a “gorgeous” store that made her proud.

“Tracy’s nothing like American Canyon,” she said, adamantly. “To point to another store in another community and say ‘You should do that’ goes completely contrary to Wal-Mart’s approach to design, which is to go to the community, drive around the community and try and pick up themes from other buildings that they see around the community.”

Mayor Brent Ives heard what both of them said and responded with a shake of the head to the Wal-Mart insult.

“If Wal-Mart hasn’t brought their top product to Tracy, then Wal-Mart needs to bring their top model to Tracy,” he said. “I’ve told every developer that’s come in here in the last five years — you bring us your best or you don’t bring it at all.” 

And then he turned to city staff and told them not to let the comment slide.

With that, the council voted to put off until Aug. 5 the decision to approve the proposal for a Wal-Mart supercenter.

Good for Tracy. Raise the bar and keep it raised. And good for the mayor for not being asleep at the wheel.

We’re still concerned about a supercenter-land in our midst, with the subsequent traffic congestion and competitive economics of a big-box concentration.

But it’s clear we don’t have to settle for “average” in Tracy. We can supersize our expectations, starting now.

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written by solar_biscuit , July 09, 2008

Wal-Mart is bad for the American worker! Shop the smaller mom and pop stores. When Wal-Mart is the only store left, they can charge whatever they want!

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written by what? , July 09, 2008

The absolute lack of a traffic and road plan on the part of the city a true testament,do not know what they are doing. They choose to ignore all facts and lack of common sense on how to address a major problem in this area of Tracy. Traffic and roads are the life line of any city. How do the people in the planning department FAIL to recognise this? Stupid is as Stupid does!

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written by what? , July 09, 2008

What happened to the Tracy Branding vote? Are we now the "Trapped in Tracy Triangle"?
Did the council vote on this?

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written by Tracy RealNews , July 09, 2008

NICE!!! I was wondering when/if we would see this article. American Canyon is also considered a Gateway City. I also appreciated that Brent Ives took notice on July 1, 2008. Also appreciated his vote for the Holly site on July 1, 2008 City Council meeting!

Thanks!

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written by Tracy RealNews , July 09, 2008

what:

I recall that the Triangle was only one proposal. I think they [Nappic] are still working on it, and the council didn't vote on this July 1, probably too much goings on with WalMart discussions and the Holly site vote (same night on July 1).


I also recall that they [nappic] did give out their website in another article. I think it was nappic.com

Cheers!

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written by cherim , July 09, 2008

To answer what?: The council vote on the tagline, "Think Inside the Triangle," was put off until the July 15 meeting. Here's the agenda item: http://www.ci.tracy.ca.us/uplo.../01/05.pdf
- Cheri

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written by amy , July 09, 2008

I'm sorry, just don't like anything "inside the Triangle" just felt so confining to me. Don't even like the word triangle.

Why copy and reverse the "outside the box"?

Be original for the price!!!

-amy

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written by CHERYL , July 10, 2008

Mayor Brent Ives heard what both of them said and responded with a shake of the head to the Wal-Mart insult.
“If Wal-Mart hasn’t brought their top product to Tracy, then Wal-Mart needs to bring their top model to Tracy,” he said. “I’ve told every developer that’s come in here in the last five years — you bring us your best or you don’t bring it at all.”
And then he turned to city staff and told them not to let the comment slide.

What insult? Wal-Mart is trying to fit into the architectural theme of the existing buildings in the city of Tracy. The proposed upgrade to the building is very tasteful and a notch above what is already in Tracy. By stating that Wal-Mart insulted the city, is the Tracy Press implying that the current structures are somehow not up to par?
What was the design of Winco that the city approved? Is it comparable to the the architecture of its' stores in Modesto and Stockton - big box - or American Canyon? Why is Wal-Mart being held to a much higher standard than other comapnies?
This is an expansion of an existing building which is visually appealing and fits into the surrounding buildings. Please approve it on the merits of goal to provide services to the Tracy community and not frivilous demands that are not put upon any other companies.

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written by what? , July 10, 2008

Yes, the Tracy Wal-Mart has been the same UGLY Box for as long as it was built and the city and Brent Ives had no complaints...
Why now?

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written by UCoty , July 10, 2008

I think this is just another weak delay tactic brought on by the people who oppose Wal-Mart build a Super WM here in town.
I've been to WalMarts all over this country, and they do not look that far apart from each other. Maybe the insides are rearranged. So if this guy is comparing to another city, why not compare it the one near Dover, Delaware. That one has parking stalls for the good Amish people and their horse drawn buggies. Might as well compare to that one too.

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written by monster dad 3K , July 11, 2008

Shop the smaller mom and pop stores.

I shop at Van's Ace Hardware because they are helpful and they have great service. If I have to pay a little more to stay out of Home Depot then that's okay with me.
That being said, most other popular stores in town (Sears, JCPenney, Target, Old Navy, Best Buy, Petsmart, Marshall's etc...) are also large corporations that exist in shopping malls and centers from coast to coast. That's how America shops in 2008. Are these stores much different than Wal Mart? There are no Mom & Pop grocery stores in town that I am aware of. Again, all big corporations.
Please name some of these Mom & Pop stores you are suggesting people shop at. I gave one example above...

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written by monster dad 3K , July 11, 2008

While on the Wal Mart train... I've been to the Wal Mart in American Canyon on the way back from Sonoma. It's big and brown and well it still looks like a Wal Mart store. The inside is really nice.
All the surrounding stores are the same color, may have been a local requirement. From all the Wal Mart stores I've seen in various parts of the US, they all pretty much look like Tracy's does on the outside. I have no problem with how the Tracy Wal Mart looks. The graffiti visible from the freeway behind it needs to be painted over though.

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written by amy , July 11, 2008

Of all the road travels I have done, I have yet to see a Wal-Mart that stood out like a sore thumb. They incorporate the "theme" of the surrounding area to the outer facade of their stores. I am impressed with the quality of food at Wal-Mart. I usually go to Costco to buy in bulk, but with fresh vegetables and fruits I prefer to go to Wal-Mart since I could not go through the perishable fast enough. Great if I have company, but singularly, not feasible for me.

I just think it is poor sport's delaying tactic hindering any progress in Tracy. No matter what agenda, there is always one on the scene trying to hurt what is best for Tracyites?

-amy

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written by amy , July 11, 2008

How can we take care of world's problem on a local scale? Of course abuse is prevalent all over world, the country's leader should take a hand in that matter if they care so much about the social well being of their own people?

-amy

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written by carpet bagger , July 11, 2008

I hate shopping at Walmart but I support this expansion. It is obvious that we need more choices in this town. I choose Trader Joe's. When are they comming to town?

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written by UCoty , July 11, 2008

I have to agree about Ace Hardware, I'll spend the extra cash to get what the item thing once and good solid advice too when I am working on a project. A orange vest and dozen or so buttons don't make you an expert! I asked a guy once at HD where the natural gas teflon tape was, and this guy was adamant that there was no difference between the regular tape and gas tape! I don't think he there was a difference! I ended up back tracking and getting the right stuff at Ace Hardware!
At any rate, I am personally getting sick of all of these projects WinnCo, Super Wal-Mart and Sports Park issues (to name a few) getting delayed time after time for stupid little reasons.
If the slow growth people want slow growth, they should go live in the wilderness. Otherwise, let Tracy grow and grow in the right direction. If the majority of the people want a super Wal-mart, let them have it! This is a democracy isn't it? Put it all up for a vote then if no one can decide on anything!
And while we're at it; lets ask questions about that alleged 8000 home deal that some city council members were alledegly trying to swing! Lets keep that fresh in our minds as voting time nears in November!

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written by solar_biscuit , July 15, 2008

What I meant by shopping the mom and pop stores was, supporting locally owned and independent stores. I know it cannot always be done, but the more smaller stores that get run out of business, the less choices we will have. When Wal-Mart is the only game in town then they can charge whatever price they want because you have no choices.