» Monthly Archives: January 2009

NIMBY dislike of Wal-Mart drops as landfills, casinos, quarrys top public ire in Saint Index©
The new Saint Index© survey on U.S. attitudes toward real estate development finds the world’s largest retailer is no longer alone as the retail project Americans most oppose for their community. Wal-Mart fell into a tie with a mall or large shopping center as the most opposed retail development project, reports Steve Shepherd, vice president and ...
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Welcome, Wal-Marts!
January 13, 2009 Forbes Chicago - What a difference a bad economy makes. Wal-Mart, the retailer routinely accused of destroying communities and neighborhoods, is facing less opposition according to a recent survey. Of 1,000 adults who were interviewed nationwide in October and November, 56% said they would oppose a Wal-Mart in their community. That's down from 68% ...
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OPPOSITION TO WAL-MART FALLS LANDFILLS AND CASINOS TOP UNWANTED LIST
RECESSION INFLUENCING ATTITUDES — NEW SAINT INDEX© RESULTS — HINGHAM, MA — January 13, 2009 — America’s NIMBYs may be losing enthusiasm for fighting their most-hated retail enemy. Of 1,000 adults interviewed nationwide, 56 percent said they oppose a Wal-Mart development in their hometown — the lowest level of opposition in four years of Saint Index© surveys. ...
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With no bond buyers or cash, California’s high speed rail struggles in recession
The economic recession is hurting the California High Speed Rail Authority, the lead agency developing the high speed rail network for which the state's voters approved $10 billion in bonds in 2008. With no buyers, the bond money is unavailable, Planetizen reports. The California High Speed Rail Authority's budget for the current fiscal year, which ends ...
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Phoenix and Charlotte lead generation of booming cities turning to light rail transit
The city of Phoenix celebrated the dawning of the new year by beginning normal, paying service on its shiny new light rail line. The current 20-mile segment runs from north of central Phoenix through the city into Tempe and Mesa. If current plans are realized, an extension to the line will be completed by ...
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Is no growth economy an option? Can you limit growth without draconian rule?
Peter Gorrie asks in a recent column in the Toronto Star -- "The zero hour is coming". -- if growth is a realistic option for governments to contemplate. In response, Mike Saint, chairman and founder of The Saint Consulting Group, asks: How do you limit growth without totalitarian rule?. According to author Peter Victor, a senior ...
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Pacific coast shopping centers plan 2009 expansion, but crunch hits Houston
Despite deflated holiday sales nationwide, large-scale Pacific regional shopping centers are continuing their development and expansion plans into 2009. However, the crunch is still closing down commercial projects in Houston. As consumers spent less on holiday shopping, the retail industry capped 2008 with a depressed ending, as Black Friday sales promotions were unable to give it ...
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