Appeal Filed Against Walmart's Building Permit [UPDATED]
[UPDATED | 12:03 p.m. Friday Mar. 30, 2012: Walmart Director of Community Affairs Steven Restivo responded to local residents' appeal late Thursday.
"This action shows how far a handful of special interests will go to block jobs, economic development and new shopping opportunities from coming to the downtown and Chinatown communities," said Restivo in a statement.
Restivo added that "the site has always been zoned for a grocery store, has been empty for most of the last two decades and our plans clearly comply with all City requirements. Residents shouldn't have to wait any longer for new, fresh food options and we have every confidence that our plans will continue to move forward."]
The Chinatown community filed an appeal on Thursday against Walmart's recently obtained building permit for the proposed Chinatown Walmart grocery store.
The community's concern is that the new Walmart will jeopardize business for smaller, local stores.
Walmart received the building permit last Thursday, sliding past the city council's unanimous vote to control the number of large retail chains in Chinatown.
Walmart proposed the new store in February, which will be built at 701 W. Cesar Chavez St. in Chinatown.
Due to strong resistance, Walmart financed a failed Inglewood ballot initiative in 2005 to eliminate the community's decision regarding the new Chinatown store.
Chinatown's residents, small businesses, the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), and the Asian Pacific Labor Alliance (APALA) continue to oppose the new Walmart to preserve Chinatown's culture and local businesses.
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