Why Does Walden Need A Large Grocery Store? - And Response (2)

  • Saturday, April 20, 2019

The town of Walden has a population of 2,118 people. What do those citizens need with a 49,000 square foot grocery store? Or with 10,000 square feet of commercial office space? Or a fuel island? Or increased tractor trailer traffic with proportional damage to the road up and down the mountain? Or multiple traffic lights at the “W” Road intersection and at Timesville Road?

When every stream on Signal Mountain shows evidence of human waste contamination, why would the citizens benefit from adding a large, commercial waste stream to the sewer load in the middle of their town? Why would Walden citizens want to expose themselves and their children to risk from increased traffic while jogging, biking or walking?

For answers (or not) to these and other similar questions, please attend the public meeting on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the Development Resource Center, 1250 Market St., when the owner/developer will meet the public, present plans, and answer questions (or not).

I am a retired teacher, former practicing attorney, former Walden judge, resident of Signal Mountain since 1980, have raised two children here, and am married to a life-long resident of Signal Mountain.

Larry Roberts

* * *

Are you sure you don't live In St. Elmo?


Matt Tyler
East Ridge
 

* * *

I have lived in Walden all of my 65 years.  Before it was Walden.  I am the fourth-generation of my family on Signal Mountain.

I choose to look to the future for our community.  There are several good reasons to approve the new development;

1.  Pruetts has evolved into more of a liquor store than grocery.  Their food prices cannot compete with Walmart or Food City

2.  Our senior citizens, including Alexian Village residents, would not have to travel down a dangerous road for groceries

3.  The sales tax collected by Walden might be enough to provide a full time policeman 24/7.  Or a fireman

4.  Our schools could benefit from the increase in tax revenue

5.  The Lines Orchids property has been commercial property for 60+ years.  It is abandoned now

6.  The new store would serve future development in the Fairmount voting district where thousands of homes will be built in the next 20 years (Look at the property maps.  Lots have already been plotted on large tracts of land)

7.  Signal Mountain residents must like new businesses.  El Metate, CVS, Dollar General all are thriving.

We cannot bury our heads in the sand and ignore the coming growth.  Well-planned business centers along US 127 is the smart thing to do.  I encourage our aldermen to vote for the new development.  


As for the bikers and joggers, please use the McCoy Farm for safe recreation and exercise and not US 127 or W Road.

Mike Harvey
Walden resident

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