Poll finds 73% are opposing Wal-Mart
2nd study says adding store would benefit Centerville
A poll found the majority of residents — 73 percent — don't want the store, while an economic study generally predicted the store would be a financial gain for the city.
The proposal is for an approximate 200,000-square-foot, $28 million Wal-Mart Super Center to be built on just over 19 acres at Parrish Lane and 400 West. The surrounding development would also include one restaurant and one small retailer.
The Centerville Citizens First commissioned Insight Research of Salt Lake City to interview 400 heads of households in Centerville to gather their collective opinions on the possible Wal-Mart.
While the group admits its motivations for the study were against the Wal-Mart, it says the poll was done in a scientific and unbiased manner.
"There's no hidden agenda here," said Ray Briscoe of Insight Research. He said he balanced the interviews by asking both negative and positive questions.
However, he said he's never conducted interviews that revealed such intense feelings.
Among other findings, the poll, with an error margin of 4.7 percent, found:
• Among residents, 96 out of 100 feel the Wal-Mart store is an important or very important issue.
• One in 50 residents want the store badly, while one in six believe the city ought to have a Wal-Mart.
• More than three out of four residents are opposed to it, and 48 percent are strongly against it.
At a Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday night at Centerville City Hall, the "Wal-Mart Economic and Fiscal Impact Analysis," by Lewis Young Robertson and Burningham Inc. of Salt Lake City, was released. The study, funded by redevelopment agency money, was commissioned by the city.
Some of its conclusions were:
• While other existing sales tax revenues in the city will drop initially with a new Wal-Mart, the store will still increase total sales tax revenue from $475,000 to $800,000 a year. That's a 25 to 42 percent increase.
• The estimated 15-year value of the store to Centerville would be $9 million to 11 million.
• Centerville would need to spend $80,000 a year out of its general funds to accommodate the store, particularly with extra police protection.
• It is estimated that 60 percent of the disposable income of south Davis County residents for retail goods in the potential store's market area is currently being spent outside the area in north Davis County and in Salt Lake City. So south Davis County could easily handle more retail development.
You can be the first to comment on this story.