Let's look back less than two years.
From The Az Star March 12, 2006---none other than Helen Dankwerth had this to say:
With population growing from about 29,700 in 2000 to about 40,000 in 2005, Oro Valley is starting to see the first phase of new retail and service jobs expected to come with the openings of three new retail centers this year, said Town Councilwoman Helen Dankwerth.
"It's fair to say they are the biggest retail developments the town has ever seen," she said. "We are in a retail boom."
From Business Edge publication of The Tucson Citizen Oct 04, 2006:
Sedona Patio Furnishing, LLC leased 17,076 square feet at Oracle Crossing Shopping Center from BP Oracle Crossing Investors LLC.
That was then. This is now.
Az Star Feb 5, 2008 reported the following:
A Northwest Side furniture store has closed down. Sedona Patio & Leather general manager Dave McCarroll said: "January sales were down 60 percent from the same time last year."
Oh well. I guess the "retail boom" Dankwerth told us about is no longer a boom----and with that, there goes more sales tax revenue.
Sedona Patio is just the latest to depart. You can be sure they won't be the last. Like the old song----- "And another one bites the dust." Too bad for the retailers. Too bad for Oro Valley.
Once Wal-Mart gets here I'm afraid we'll be seeing a lot more of "biting the dust."
4 comments:
Now that you mentioned Wal-Mart, I would like to ask a question.
Anybody recall that Vestar the developer of our "unique" shopping paradise was supposed to announce more store openings. Vestar had hired a upscale retail broker, Corritore to secure some nice clothing stores.
What the heck happened?
The rate this mall is going I don't think they have enough junk stores or mediocre stores to fill the spaces.
Vestar is now so silent!
Sort of ironic when you think back to all those glossy brochures and Vote Yes endorsements.
Ironic...yes. Unexpected...no.
OV1st and SOVOG both tried to tell everyone in Oro Valley that THIS is what would happen if we allowed Vestar to build this mall, but did they listen? Nooooooooooo!
The problem with the "new retail and service jobs" promised in 2006 is that they don't pay enough for people to be able to live in Oro Valley. So these jobs depend on people driving into Oro Valley--further clogging Oracle Road.
Oro Valley Mom
Didn't you hear, Vestar is going to build some low-rent apartments in Oro Valley to work the low-end retail jobs!
We should give them a $350,000 construction tax rebate!
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