Proposed North Shore Walmart Proves Controversial

Northbrook has been buzzing for weeks with a proposed Walmart superstore at 1000 Skokie Blvd., just south of the Dundee Road and Skokie Highway intersection. 

The proposed store would be open from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. and sell alcohol. Walmart representatives have said the store would not carry firearms or ammunition.

Residents in east Northbrook have been vocal in their opposition to the store. The village's first public input meeting was packed with more than 200 people, along with more than 40 speakers — none of whom were Walmart supporters.

The biggest complaints among critics includes the bad traffic situation at Dundee and Skokie would only be made worse with a superstore in the area, residents worry that a nearby Walmart would reduce property value in that part of town and light pollution from the store would affect the neighborhood all night. 

Some opponents have even posted 'No Walmart' signs in their front yard. These dot lawns across parts of east and central Northbrook. Several homeowner associations in Northbrook have even banded together and hired an attorney to represent them before the village.

Walmart supporters came out to the village's second public input meeting for the store, and praised the tax revenue a Walmart would bring to Northbrook. Supporters also accused Walmart opponents of being elitist, and rejecting the store because it sells affordable goods.

A third public input meeting has been scheduled for Oct. 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Glenbrook North's Center for the Performing Arts. Northbrook's plan commission says the public input meetings will continue until everyone who wishes to share their thoughts on the store have spoken. 

Click on the links below to read Patch's coverage of the proposed Walmart.

• Homeowner Associations Rally Against Walmart
• Walmart Launches Website to Attract Northbrook Residents
  
• Walmart Supporters Speak Up
• Walmart's Claims and Supporters Challenged
  
• Walmart Blasted By Northbrook Residents
• Northbrook Homeowners, Businesses Team Up Against Walmart
  
• No Walmart Supporters Spoke at Monday's Meeting
  
• Could Walmart Be Stopped By Northbrook's Comprehensive Plan?
  
• Proposed Walmart Could Bring 300 Jobs
  
• Walmart Protest Signs Posted In East Northbrook
  
• Proposed Walmart Meeting Runs Till 1 A.M.
  
• Walmart Surveillance Tracks Customers From the Parking Lot