There is much discussion and dissension on the proposal to put a Walmart into the old Bingham School at 7618 Wyandotte Street in Waldo. The Kansas City MO School Board has not released details of the possible sale. A group of citizens has started a petition opposing the move.
Their objections are manifold. Harm to privately owned local businesses, increased crime, loss of the 'small-town feeling', 'infiltration of cheap goods and low wages', and increased traffic congestion in an already busy area are a few of the reasons given by petition signers. 
One voter puts it like this: "...Walmart is a parasitic company and promotes only the lowest commnon denominator. Perhaps they could clean up the mess they left out across from the former Bannister Mall before they move anywhere else..."
We certainly cannot argue about the mess left across from the former Bannister Mall - it's right there in plain sight. What about the other concerns? Does Walmart kill small, locally owned businesses? Would Walmart's presence destroy Waldo?
The Chicago Tribune & MSN Money published articles stating that a Walmart coming into the community causes a rise in home values. Both based their articles on the study done by Devin G Pope at the Booth School of Business / University of Chicago & Jaren C Pope at the Department of Economics at Brigham Young University. (The two are brothers.) Their study concludes that property values rise 1 -3% after the arrival of Walmart into a community. 
Really? Property values rise when Walmart comes to a neighborhood? That's what they say. Not only that, there was a thesis written in 2010 by John Loyer at the College of New Jersey which attempted to answer the Walmart question. This paper concludes that Walmart has no effect on the tax base or residential or commercial property values.
Now, these studies were rather long and dry so I may have missed a few points but I do recall John mentioning a rise in EITC claims, an increase in poverty ratios, and 'other costs to social programs.'
So, is he really saying that his research shows that a 1-3% rise in property values is offset by the increased strain on social programs thus maintaining an overall equilibrium in the tax base? 
I also spoke with a few individuals who are in favor of a Walmart in Waldo. They want cheaper groceries closer to their home. Well, that's certainly understandable!
If you're pulling in more than $100,000/year/adult in your family, perhaps it's easier to oppose bringing the big box giant into your neighborhood than if you're a single mother pulling in less than $30,000/year.
In an ideal world, it would be nice to have only local businesses in the part of Kansas City MO known as Waldo. It was pointed out to me that we already have CVS, Walgreens, Maaco, McDonald's, and other national brands and franchises.
It's hard to imagine that Walmart could destroy Governor Stumpy's, Waldo Pizza, the Gaf, Classic Cookie, Dave Smith Lamp Maker, the antique shops, Walsh's Corner Cocktails, Taj Mahal, and all the other shops & restaurants we know and love. But will Walmart improve the Waldo neighborhood?
Many of the people opposed to Walmart in Waldo would like to see a community center put in place of the old Bingham School. Children are already using it for basketball, soccer, and football practice.
If Walmart comes to Waldo, will it improve the Waldo neighborhood?
If they come, I hope that they will build a tastefully designed building, use solar canopies in the parking lot, keep at least 30% of the land as a green space buffer, and contribute to the community like a real member of the Waldo neighborhood.
Look at the map. It's a big hunk of land in Waldo. The Kansas City MO School Board needs to make a wise decision which will benefit the citizens of Waldo.
Real Estate Market Report for the Kansas City Greater Metropolitan Area 4th Quarter 2012: Jackson County, MO. Waldo is in zip code 64114, city of Kansas City, county of Jackson, state of Missouri.
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