This page will provide frequent updates to the various issues efforts related to the "big box" Wal mart Supercenter proposal. Check here frequently for the most current information.

June 2007

Wal-Mart Won't Appeal EPC Decision
On Friday, June 22nd, Wal-Mart announced that it will not appeal the Environmental Planning Commission's denial of its plans to build at the Osuna and Vista del Norte site.

With this announcement, Wal-Mart has decided not to develop any type of store on the property, and will let its option on the property expire. This decision will hopefully clear the way for the City of Albuquerque to purchase the land for open space uses, including balloon landings, youth sports and other community activities.

Read more about the decision at these links:
Albuquerque Journal - June 23, 2007
"Wal-Mart Gives Up On Center Plans"

Albuquerque Tribune - June 23, 2007
"Wal-Mart Nixes Osuna Store Plan"

KOB-TV
"Wal-Mart Won't Appeal Zoning Decision"

KOAT-TV
"Wal-Mart Give Up!"

So What Now?
Although Wal-Mart has backed away from building at the site, the future of the site is still not a sure thing. Now is the time to ask the City of Albuquerque to move forward with plans to acquire the site for open space usage. Contact Mayor Martin Chavez or your city councilor and ask that action begin now to secure this site for youth sports, balloon landings and other beneficial community activities.

Our Position
Vista del Norte was marketed as "Your Community, Your Family, Your Life" offering unparalleled opportunity for your family to live in a planned community nestled in the quaint North Valley. Vista del Norte was presented as more than just a development but a haven where families can walk and bike together - where neighbors greet one another warmly.

The site was carefully laid out to keep traffic to a minimum, making our streets safe for children to ride bicycles and families to take evening walks. The parks were to "sprout" up as the community grows - perfect places for a picnic or game of football, baseball or soccer.

The location is also where the skies glow with the vibrant colors and dazzling shapes of the balloon fiesta. The beauty and majesty of the event is truly one of the great benefits of living in Vista del Norte.

"At Vista del Norte you'll find the best Albuquerque has to offer - the satisfaction of home ownership, the comfort of the community, the tranquility of the North Valley and the convenience of the city. It's a place you'll be proud to call 'home'".

The Marketing Brochures also promised a "neighborhood" retail center near the Osuna entrance.

These statements are not a sales product of the Alliance but are excerpts directly out of the Marketing Brochure provided to us to sell the Vista del Norte Community.

We have been promised so much but have received something totally different - no parks, overwhelming traffic and commercial development all around us, flooding, mud and now Wal-Mart.

The Alliance is working on your behalf to obtain what we were sold - "a neighborhood retail center near the entrance of Osuna". A Big Box brings so many concerns including size, scale, the inappropriateness of the project, 24/7 operation, traffic, existing limited excess to VDN, complete gridlock, cut-through traffic from El Pueblo, safety for our pedestrians and pets, proximity to city park location, proximity to the neighborhood church location, excessive trash, balloon landing zones or lack there of, impediment of balloon chase vehicles, truck noise, truck deliveries, truck pollution, impediment of responding emergency vehicles to the neighborhood, noise, light pollution, air quality and other environmental concerns, water drainage issues, electrical demands, existing water pressure, increased crime, broken promises by the developer, depreciation of home values, bicyclist safety, negative economic impact, liquor sales, gun sales, other issues including the impact to the 4th Street redevelopment project and the unknown affects of the commercial development under construction on our northern boundaries and the new Rail Runner Depot.

We were promised development that would encourage pedestrian and bicyclist traffic and ensure their safety.

Since the Facilitated Meeting on May 25th, only one alternative site plan has been presented to us by the Wal-Mart representatives and it was for a 143,000 square-foot mini Super-Wal-Mart which would still not meet the requirements indicated on the Marketing Brochures. We are working hard to bring the size and scale of the store more in line with "neighborhood" scale. We have presented Wal-Mart representatives the Neighborhood Market alternative to include small commercial neighborhood support that has been rejected. They contend a Super Center is needed in the North Valley and must be built to meet economic viability.

VDN Alliance will move forward requesting complete denial of the site plan presented by Tierra West, who is the representative for Wal-Mart. We have also requested no 24/7 operation, no liquor sales variance and no gun sales. Our support base has been expanded to include Neighborhood Associations from the entire of City of Albuquerque. The citywide neighborhood support is overwhelming. The meeting in May had the largest attendance (800+) of any facilitated meeting in the history of Albuquerque demonstrating the strong unity of the Vista Del Norte neighborhood.

The representatives for Wal-Mart have requested another deferral of the EPC meeting until January 18, 2007. This deferral will give our community additional time to prepare for the next EPC meeting.

Our State Senator, John Ryan and our City Council representative, Debbie O'Malley are in support of our requests for a smaller scale development in our neighborhood which has been a great help.

Debbie O'Malley has set up a task force to work on new design guidelines that when implemented will help us towards a scaled development more appropriate for the Vista Del Norte/Osuna site. With the help of Debbie O'Malley, we are also working with an architectural professional on an appropriate scale development that we will be presenting to the neighborhood when completed for review prior to presentation to the developers.

The Alliance through the help of several members and neighborhood volunteers along with surrounding associations have set up core groups working on the different areas of concern that will be combined and presented to the EPC now scheduled for June 14, 2007.

Letter From New Mexico Economic Development Department Secretary Rick Homans Regarding Proposed Development -
Sent to to Mayor Martin Chavez on June 6, 2006
This letter from Cabinet Secretary Homans reflects the neighborhood's concern regarding the proposed development and its potential on the Balloon Fiesta
Download the letter (Word doc)

Vista del Norte Alliance Letter of Specific Concerns -
Sent to Tierra West, LLC on July 25, 2006
This letter, requested by Tierra West LLC, details specific issues and concerns that the Alliance has regarding the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter development.
Download the letter (PDF)