The economic recession has caused a shakedown in the retail sector, and retail powerhouse Wal-Mart has been forced to close many outlets. One city has found an innovative solution to the empty big box building left behind: put in a new Wal-Mart.
The small town of Monkey Creek, Nevada, thought its days were numbered when Wal-Mart officials announced the upcoming closure of its area retail outlet. The retail megastore accounts for nearly one-fourth the town's area, and provides more than 75% of its tax revenue. Wal-Mart moving out meant the sure demise of the local economy.
"It's the lifeblood of our city. I can't imagine what life would be like without Wal-Mart," said Monkey Creek Mayor Michael Bergbloom. "It would have been so much more than 275,000 empty square feet."
So town officials found a solution: replace the old Wal-Mart with a new one.
"We're calling it 'non-adaptive reuse'", said Bergbloom, who recently replaced the store's "Going Out of Business" sign with one reading "Going Into Business".
As Wal-Marts close shop across the country, other cities are looking to Monkey Creek for guidance in dealing with these large empty spaces.
"It's really ingenious what they're doing," said Mayor Chip Stanwell of Lowtide, Arizona, another town facing a pending big box closure. "A Wal-Mart! Of course! It's the perfect fit."
Self-Driving Cars Still Can't Recognize the Difference Between a Wedding Planner and an Urban Planner
Pundits agree that planners need to prepare for self-driving cars. Self-driving cars still need to prepare for planners.
Florida Man Thought the New Comp Plan Included Zoning Changes
A Florida man is accused of not realizing an entirely separate process would be required to implement the zoning changes recommended in a recently approved comprehensive plan.
April Fool's Headlines That Didn't Make the Cut
"Who's the more foolish, the fool, or the fool who follows him?"
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)