WalMart Goes NIMBY Against Town Center Plans

The town of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, has grand plans for a new, pedestrian-oriented downtown, but making this idea reality involves getting rid of one large and vocal neighbor: WalMart.

1 minute read

January 19, 2009, 5:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


"Wal-Mart has urged Eden Prairie to alter its redevelopment plans for the area north of Eden Prairie Mall to take its store out of the plan. The city's concept calls for smaller, pedestrian-oriented businesses forming a new 100-acre downtown that would completely encompass the current Wal-Mart site. An all-new "Main Street" would even cut right across Wal-Mart's existing parking lot."

"Wal-Mart likes its Eden Prairie location and plans to stay put, regional vice president Michael Gardner said in a letter to Mayor Phil Young. He asked that the city revise its plans to 'reflect accurately Wal-Mart's plans for the future of its property,' and to 'modify the plan so that it no longer shows a new road that would bi-sect the Wal-Mart site.'"

"City surveys have found that Eden Prairie residents are eager for a downtown where people can live and walk to shops, restaurants and transit, city officials say."

Friday, January 16, 2009 in Minneapolis-St. Paul Star-Tribune

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight