Big Box Blog

Dear All,

Right On Loreen! Couldn’t have said it any better. Leave Eureka alone! People have plenty of choices right now, and I see absolutely no reason why we should invite more options and potentially lower prices. When storeowners invested their capital in our little hamlet, they trusted the City Council to protect them from competition. What would be telling current businesses if they thought they would have to compete? My husband, Curtis, and I moved here two years ago because it was like going bank in time. Kind of like living in the Twilight Zone. You’d have to go to some remote third world country to participate in this kind of experience. If it’s a nice day today, I’ll hitchhike into town, go to Stanton’s for the “Wood’s Boss”, drop by the needle exchange and then pick up my welfare check.

Sincerely,

Lola Regan-Twilly

Well, certainly some wit here, from both of you.

And this does interestingly bring out what can be important.

There are many attractive aspects for Eureka, I suspect, in what the Arkleys are offering, all the cleanups and settlings of areas, besides the employment and city revenue.

No, they are not perfect in offering them -- all of this has much the sound of the Eureka I long ago grew up in. And yet, among the more visible motives, isn't it possible this is much a very human act to further join, in several senses, the community?

In what ways could the community ask for any rebalancing, that would help all?

The tough thing, of course, is that Home Depot. Better than a Walmart, yes. How would it be to compete with it, for Pierson nearby on 101, or other improvement centers?

Being upmarket, specialising, etc. are answers Home Depot itself promotes for competition. To what degree can these work in Eureka?

Who can suggest grounded answers, from knowledge of the local supply businesses themselves?

Home Depot has several scales of stores. Perhaps even they would do better with one of best appropriate size?

Well, it would be good to be able to say more. In fact, it's tough so far. I hope there will be good discussion, with recognising that it's not the post-war years any more, and that no-one can have things 'perfectly'.

Ecology is such a strong local skill and interest -- and a living economy is a prime and precious ecosystem like any other.

Kind regards, to all,
cns

p.s. very good to see the BB blog operating visibly again - could suggest the maintainers set the front page to have a number of articles cutoff, rather than a dated one.

Thanks for the arrogant and snotty tirade, Loreen. People who truly love Eureka want it to improve and provide a better quality of life (which includes a better economic environment) for its RESIDENTS, not remain "just the way it is" to suit the whims of groovy people from SoHum, Arcata, Trinidad, etc.
Get your facts straight. Nobody's proposing a strip mall or L.A. style sprawl development. It is pedestrian-friendly infill development. How do you know that people who support economic development in Eureka are from SoCal? Are you clairvoyant?
If you're such an opponent of big box stores and strip malls, why do you shop at Kmart and Costco?

Dear Mr. Craven,

First you call my hero Mr. Cobb a factually challenged demagogue, and now you insult my cyberspace buddy Loreen. How dare you? Sure Loreen, as well as all of us, shop at Costco and K-Mart, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we like it. Instead, it means that while cringing at the thought of having more choices at cheaper prices and unfavorably impacting former shopkeepers’ ologopolies, we have enough savings left over to support noteworthy causes like the Humboldt Baykeeper and Democracy Unlimited. How bout dem apples? While your intelligent ramblings show much merit, your vision of a economically viable Eureka would completely devastate our vision of Eureka as a modern day Cuba without Castro. Leave Eureka alone! It’s fine the way it is.

Sincerely,

Lola Regan-Twilly

Well, this is all interesting byplay, Lola, but you know, Eurekans and Humboldters have been themselves for a very long time. The reason this culture survives, so you can have the experience, is rooted in deep independence and character, yes -- but also in deep and purposeful practicality.

A pioneer knows their chance is in the well-taking of the opportunity, when it shows. This always involves compromise: do you want the tall tree, or a cabin which makes life in all seasons? You yourself apparently reside in a house constructed out of that choice, in Manila. Nature makes similar choices slowly but every day, as to whether it wants a fir grove or an oak meadow now, in a location.

I could be wrong from afar, but if judged true by community to its initial promise, the Arkley plan would seem to be the oak meadow.

Not as idealistic as the tall tree, but having beauty and lots of habitat for healthy residents - good ecological virtues. And it fits when the ideal conditions can't be returned: who is going to recover that original tidal slough? No one can, and it is best to be prosperous enough to encourage the health of another, as the local activist history you like has been doing.

The plan is the other end of the downtown taken care of, and with a balance to the elitism of the 'old town' so far. I like some of what's in that elitism, but don't fool myself that it lives or can be happy either, without the salt of a whole community included. And then everyone can enjoy what it brings, all personalities. That was always Eureka too.

I'd like to see that Home Depot scaled so that it is in fair proportion, so that the beautiful Pierson yard and others large and small can build together with it in a climate of diverse provision and growth: in home improvement. Those can be nice words, and ecological words: what is better than to improve from within, and in this attract the resources, in arrivals from other habitats, to do more?

One should speak carefully to other old knowledge here also. Eureka has always attracted with its easy climate the truly dispossessed. They deserve their life too - but with their own habitat which is not encampments on stale industrial lands or making disproportionate statements on walkways where the community that feeds them too, makes its life. This development also has the opportunity to build renewed habitat for them, in a place that can be for them.

It would be a proper gesture, and acknowledgement again that we cannot be perfect, but we can do well enough in community with all.

Well, enough, from very far away, and spun just out of what can be heard -- but I grew up in this community, and I have visited it over the years. I find that further along in life it marks me, in the specific ways I had the chance to grow there. It is a deeply personal thing to say I appreciate this: better words yet than being proud.

Such an intricate and interesting way it had, with all its diverse persons: and this can be read also today, between the lines from far away.

What interesting chances...

Dear Narration,

What’s with all the mumbo jumbo? I can’t make heads or tails of your erratic nonsense. As opposed to my wife’s byplay, yours sounds more like foreplay. Are you hitting on Lola or what?

Tell Home Depot to scale back? How in da heck do you propose to do that? Are we going to let City Council decide or should we have another referendum for November’s ballot? Since you left Humboldt, it appears that you’ve spent too much time in France. I’m not sure it would go over to well with us consumers if we learned that competitors were allowed to divide markets up. I’m no MBA, but I think there just might be some anti-trust problems here.

Finally, the habitat for the truly dispossessed already exits. Its called Arcata, and it has plenty of capacity.

Curtis

Dear Mr. Narration,

Please excuse my husband’s idiotic and childish entry above. While I follow the intelligent philosophy and beliefs of David Cobb, Curtis is an avid watcher of that radical, right wing, crony FOX network and has become absolutely brainwashed. I won’t try and explain how it is we get along so well. We just ignore each other’s politics and have a very active sex life.

I do agree with Curtis that your blog was confusing. I think your heart is in the right place; however, we should not compromise on this matter, which is where I think you were going. A medium size box is as bad as a big one. Eureka should be left alone.

Best wishes to you!

Lola Regan-Twilly

Curtis, I'm in Switzerland, which is surprisingly like the states, except more town travel in trams instead of cars, and darker at this moment than there. And I thought your wife Lola surely sounded to be taking care of herself - would have no concerns there.

By scaling, I mean that Home Depots can come in many sizes, and already do. New York for one has lately been very argumentative with them to size appropriately if they are going to be allowed. Other places too - see the web.

The idea is to negotiate a store size that makes agreeably fair competition for the builder's scene anticipated to come with incoming residence improvement and building in the Eureka area. It might be something the Arkleys could help to arrange, if they see the benefit and appreciation to do so, to even things out. Same idea with the homeless shelter idea 'down by Rocking-R' which Cherie Arkley thought of in her interview in the North Coast journal.

How does the democracy work? Well, I would hope the city council, advised as it will be on all sides, would be proud as well as well loaded in doing its job. You always have the referendum in reserve, and I hope a patience before anything like that which is suitable to the needed examination and process.

If there is give and take, then the kind of democracy people with long memories are interested in can take place. That would be a tremendous accomplishment in Humboldt County, and better than sticking on unreachable perfections, yes?

Ah, the antitrust question. I don't know why economic planning to assess what's allowable to be built in a zoning would be anything of the kind - think it's done all the time. That again is the advantage of city etc. government.

I was a little interested in the detail of merchant associations myself, after what Gil Craven mentioned surrounding the new Ikea in Berkeley-Emeryville, and found the following story. You have to plow through a bit of talk, but there might be an amount interesting there.
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/Issues/2001-07-18/news/feature_print.html

Maybe Gil Craven can suggest some better links.

Your last comment, just realised what you mean. Well, Cherie Arkley said just that too, and that she was kidding, but of course some habitat is needed everywhere, to be fair everywhere. I remember the 'bums' in postwar years of Eureka, and have a degree of soft side here. Why not, and it is a share.

Sorry for the name - I just have work where people will look me up from places that won't easily understand, and I'd rather be free to say what I mean here.

Regards, though...and I don't suppose Mary McCaslin still lives in Manila? As she would say to me, 'not a folk', but surely a real artist in her songs.

Lola, I just found yours after replying to Curtis. You both sound like really fine people. It does give a smile.

I'm sorry for being confusing. Just thinking hard, and trying to see where answers might be, which often is in those places we can find and 'open up' between one idea and another.

I hope what I wrote above back to Curtis helps my clarity. Anyway, you are right about the intent of it.

From you too, I am now clearer where you mean to 'leave things alone'. Believe me that I can sympathise. It's just that even in Humboldt's history, what's left alone doesn't stay healthy and well.

Kind of a thing with we humans I think, after enough history of my own. We have to keep constructing, making our homes. Our trick in these times forward must surely be to figure ways which in fact construct, and are not so destructive.

My own feeling is that the scale of the Balloon redevelopment is not destructive to Eureka, any of the spirit it has or can grow. Rather it seems it can heal up sores that have been there since my time, and some that came later.

Again in my imagination, it makes a further chance to have that mix which Eureka comes from. Which always had its many backgrounds of persons - from early settlement, from dropping off ships, as refugees of Europe, as people who came to a new place leaving another behind, Steinbeck America or otherwise.

The key is that diversity, to me. All those people who can make for themselves, just given there's the breadth of kinds of jobs and economy to support it. Tourism and second, vacation, or 'later life' homes seem they have a lot to do with the possibilities now, and those in turn will draw in more second professions too. Cleaning up, and having the range of amenities is just the 'housekeeping' needed to be attractive enough to make this real, at least as I can seem to see it.

You notice then that the shyness to be too direct comes back...you people there have to see it and decide. I'm interested, and have a little right to that, so try to put in a thing or two.

Best there...

Perhaps maybe Mr. Narration should stick to worrying about "Switzerland".

Perhaps, Mr. magpie, but wherever we might be for a while, and for whatever purpose, don't you think it's likely we'll take an interest in our home?

Real ecologies are never stationary or perfections, are they -- and they survive by using the resources they can find are offered: well for themselves.

For starters, it is Ms. Magpie. And secondly, if everyone who once lived in Humboldt took a psycho babble interest in the outcome of "our home", god knows where we would be.

Intent is hard to know only by short texts, isn't it.

Could it be that what you thought you heard was actually respect? That's from 'Old Eureka' too.

A decent Friday to you, Ms. Magpie, and may a tendency for shiny things find a smile.

I admit I am writing from Petaluma now. But I was born, reared and resided in Humboldt County until my mid-30's. It was then I finally realized if I wanted to do more than wash dishes I needed to move south. I plan to move back soon, though.... Such are my Bona Fides.

I am old enough to remember the debut of the Bayshore Mall. I remember what 5th Street used to look like, and I remember the casualties among the long-time family businesses there.

I'm not saying "No" to the Marina Project. I'm saying consider carefully the consequences. As I have said before: Home Depot (or KMart or Costco) do not print money, they collect it. Until we figure out a way to get more money to flow INTO the County, what is collected by Home Depot is diverted from somebody else already here.

Is this what is wanted? Or should the real debate be: How do we get the money flowing into the County: Gleaned from passing tourists? Industry? Internet and High Tech? The Port? Is this the best use for the property?

Comments welcomed….

This project is not solely about big box. It is about a parcel of land that has tons of potential to bring in jobs/revenue with a buyer who is willing to put up the money to make it happen.

So it is said a Home Depot will collect money diverted from somebody else already here, but doesn't Target, Costco, Burger King (the list goes on and on), do that too and everyone here seems to be hanging in just fine.

Nothing has been done with the property in over 25 years. Everybody talks about different things they would like to see there, but aside from not seeing anybody else willing to put up the money to make it happen, I don't see their ideas generating income either.

What will happen when the people of this county no longer allow change to happen??? Property like the Balloon Track will continue to sit empty, not creating money, but costing us money.

Dear Magpie,

Honey, I mean absolutely no offense, but you are either incredibly stupid or just plain ignorant. Seriously, “not solely about a big box”, this is absolutely about a BIG BOX! You allow this project, and our “Humboldt culture” is history.

Humboldt County is absolutely the grooviest place on earth! It has not kept up with modern times, but rather, has allowed itself to remain in the sixties. I love it here! As I travel the county, I am amazed at the number of “anti-corporate, do nothing but protest” people that I’ve ever come across. I am soooooo impressed! We’ve almost driven out any incentive for any business to want to be here. Our culture has been a global magnet, as well as example, for how to attract “anti-establishment” individuals that are fed up with having to attempt to work for a living and would rather protest the actions of anyone with ambition and productive ideas than trying to earn a legitimate dime. I mean really, why put together sandwiches for minimum wage, when you can collect workers’ compensation and then protest against the economic engine that pays them?

We’re living in an unbelievable, living, historic museum from 40 years ago. Magpie, why would you want to change it? What other county in the country has more hitchhikers than people with driver’s licenses? Talk about helping the environment battle global warming! Besides Eureka, what other city in the US could Larry the Cable Guy, Cheech Martin or Hulk Hogan be elected to the city council and no one would blink an eye?

This issue is solely about big boxes taking over our sixties culture. You let this Marina project in, and our whole way of life is just plain “toast”. They can have the rest of the country, but leave Humboldt County alone. No big box, no medium box, no compromise, no way!

With warmest regards,

Lola Regan-Twilly

Dearest Lola,

All I hear are objections. What do you suggest be done with the property? Better yet, where is your financial support to back your suggestion(s)? Or is this solely about you objecting for the fact you have nothing better to do than oppose any and all ideas not made by you??

Dear Magpie,

Thank you for the reply. Here’s what I think should be done with the property. I think it should be turned into a park for all citizens of Humboldt County to enjoy and not some fancy big box that pretends to be a community supporter while it sucks all of our dollars to Georgia. The park could have one of those concrete basins for skateboarders, the future derelicts of our area, which will ensure that our culture is maintained. It could have an amphitheatre for concerts, plays, lectures and, of course, protests. I think someone mentioned an aquarium. That would be nice as well.

Financing, my dear, is really pretty easy. Union Pacific should pay for it all since they’re the folks that contaminated the property in the first place, abandoned it and placed the entire Humboldt Bay in environmental jeopardy. I’ve talked with the Cobbinator about this, and he has given me some great advice. With his guidance, I’ve decided to create my own group of concerned citizens that will focus solely on the Balloon Track. I’ve named it “Manilans Opposing Boxes”, a/k/a the “MOB”. Our mascot is a large clam with a fist around its poor neck because of the toxins dumped into our bay. Our website is under construction but will be named www.nomoboxes.com. Emails can be sent to friendsofcobb@hotmail.com.

We plan to align our war chest with the likes of Humboldt Baykeeper and Democracy Unlimited. We’ll bring on lawsuits quickly against UP for their past actions, whether or not our facts are accurate or not. We’ll trespass on the track property to get samples as evidence. If the lab results aren’t in-line with our interests, then we’ll change them, taint them or sample again. I don’t think UP’s lawyers from Omaha will be any match for the almost free help we’ve procured from Gaberville. They’ve done this stuff tons of times, and this should be easy pick’ens.

Regarding my view on ideas, I only oppose ideas that I don’t agree with. I’m for government handouts, free rides and anything that preserves my ability to live comfortably in a ramshackle shack next to the Pacific Ocean in the greatest county in the USofA.

Sincerely,

Lola Regan-Twilly
Founder & Chairperson - MOB

Well, it's an interesting art you write with, Lola. I just keep having the feeling that underneath, whatever you might be saying, there's a wish for one of those grannies who lived in the old houses of Eureka to invite you in for a talk, a quiet place out of the winds, with the scent of warm tea and something nice to eat to flavor the conversation.

Then soon enough one could think of how such a house got built, all the histories behind it, and none of them too perfect, but then that this is the way histories are. And if we see so through the eyes of a grandmother, then we are much more realistic, than when we think it is all about one of those 'corporations' which have in this moment become the focus of our disgust.

Except for a good while, they were the best we could think of to do, grannies included. The best. Think about that, as far as ways of arranging lives that sustain. As grannies do very well.

We do need to be sensible now with what we've found, and do different things, no question about it. And angry and disappointed as we may be for a moment in our own history, I think you'll find that deep down, each of us would like to be making something, and a degree of that in togetherness -- a society we participate in, also reconditioned.

Artists, fisherpersons, chowder-slingers, and retail clerks. Newspaperpersons, Kneeland dwellers, those in the studious residentia who wake up to recognise that 'ideas' weren't much of a healthy answer either, solely on their own. Lots of grannies - their substantial activities in many matters, which they know.

For that making, we always need frameworks, scaffoldings, and the enticements of the re-seen. The cleanups, the built places, and the connections. Can it possibly be interesting, looking past the 'boxes', and asking how many refreshed possibilities are being talked about, all around this development, or in its plans?

No, I've nothing to do with any of it, except as a ghost from distance and a past. Nor do I have a fixed opinion how the outcome should be yet, any more than anyone else sensibly can. But I'm interested. Humboldt and its persons do attract that. Worthwhile.

Hi all, there are many issues in need of discussion on this matter. I'm not too worried about Home Depot coming to town, because I would never shop there anyway. I'm a union laborer and they only build rat. It would be nice to see Pierson's have a little competition for once. I've never had much time for anyone being the only show in town. I'm more concerned with how that toxic waste dump is going to get cleaned up before they develop anything. The story I've been hearing is that they're only going to skim the surface and pave over it. Any thoughts? Tommyboy

Thoughts? The Regional Water Quality Control Board has jurisdiction over the site and whatever is done must comply with state law. Exactly that, state law, a law passed by the state. Aside from that, anyone who thinks the Waterfront is the only parcel of land in the county that is toxic is living in la-la land --and you don’t hear objections to their development.

Tommyboy, from my view Magpie is onto a good point. A few weeks ago, in trying to understand what the issues might be, I'd read through a report from the Oregon DEQ (state environmental agency) towards the Hoyt railroad yard cleanup, which was done in Portland, Oregon. I'll put the link below.

The Oregon DEQ decision was to require a $4.5 million cleanup and capping, which they chose as meeting the Oregon rules. They also priced a $22m cleanup and capping, which was not perfect either, and was felt not justified. In the end, a private version was done anyway, based on residential use in an expensive and now successful 'Pearl District'.

What's comparable to Eureka? One would imagine the Balloon Tract isn't worse than the Hoyt railyard, and both solutions protect waterways: in Portland, the Williamette river. So the result from Oregon DEQ may give an idea what the upper limit of California state requirement could be.

An interesting point to me was that capping is used in all alternatives, and that it isn't a simple matter of 'putting down dirt or asphalt'. The DEQ report is detailed and specific about cleanups, cap depths, and protections according to exact land uses, and these are increased for example where utility workers might have to dig in future. No doubt California's will be too.

Further, and very importantly, there is an ongoing future program of monitoring and inspection, to assure the overall solution does its job consistently in future, or is upgraded to do keep doing so - with ground waterflows among the aspects monitored.

Here's the link each to mention the development, and to access the DEQ report.

http://hoytyards.com/hsp_story.html
http://www.deq.state.or.us/wmc/rods/HoytStreet.pdf

No hositility, just facts.

Tom, very welcome. Hope it helps the discussion.

Meant to say, nice thoughts to you too, Magpie. Appreciate, and that you call them as you see them.

This sure has become a very interesting debate. No doubt, it will only become more "interesting" as this whole Marina Center proposal continues to unfold. I see the sides forming rapidly over this debate, including this blog. Sometimes it reminds me of the phrase "your either with us, or against us". I for one, don't think it's that simple.

As I read the posts of people like Loreen and Dan, I get the sense that folks are just concerned with what a proposal like this could mean for the community as a whole. People that are concerned about all of the ramifications, not just a few. Some are worried about the whole big box thing, while for others, it's the contamination on the site. And though there are some people that are totally opposed to the project right out of the box, it seems that most simply want to see more than just one possibility considered. What's wrong with that? After all, a proposal like this really does affect all citizens in one way or another. But, when I see these various questions raised, usually that's when I notice a few rapid responses suggesting that they are amongst other things; "anti growth". Now, I doubt that most folks living here, fit into that category.

I'm one that does think that some kind of development should take place on the property. I don't think that anyone wants to see it sit in its current state forever. But that being said, I have my own concerns about the cleanup of the property, as well as the proposed Home Depot and or Best Buy. That's why I've been trying to seek out as much information as possible on the whole thing. As a former resident of the Bay Area, I have already seen first hand what the impact of these types of development can mean to a small town. It certainly isn't as rosy as the developers would have you believe during the presentation stage. Does that mean that it's all bad? No, of coarse it doesn't. But, I and many of my former neighbors, found that the negatives of big retail far outweighed the benefits. The loss of local business/jobs, increased burden on city infrastructures, traffic problems, where to name but a few. I realize that one area of the state doesnt necessarily represent the overall picture of this type of development, but there are numerous studies out there that have been done by several groups that find similar results that I have spoken of. I also realize that the proposed big box stores are only supposed to account for a quarter of the Marina Center project, but their impact far overshadows the remaining three quarters. I see Pierson's name mentioned quite a bit as being particularly vulnerable to a big box home improvement retailer like Home Depot. Pierson's will not be the only business that is directly affected by the likes of Home Depot. Everybody, wholesale to retail, in the home improvement sector will be impacted by this. Some would survive, some would not. Best Buy would be up against any retailer that deals appliances, electronics, computers, etc. I've heard plenty about competition being a good thing in business. I agree, if only these big stores believed the same thing. They don't. They are not interested in competing, rather they want to dominate. This has already happened all over the country, in many states. I, myself, don't call that a "choice for the consumer". It has also been found, that money spent at local vendors circulate inside the perspective community several more times when compared to outside corporate stores. Increased traffic is something else that concerns me. I know that it (traffic congestion) was never adequately addressed around the big retail developments where I used to live. And, I have to say, that the current road infrastructure here, pales in comparison to what they have down there. As far as the Balloon Track's pollution is concerned, I am interested in seeing what the options are in cleaning up this type of problem. So far, I have only seen the capping solution seriously considered. I'm not saying that capping wouldn't work in part, but I have to wonder if it is the only possibility.

Overall, I think that real discussion on this issue is needed. Through an open forum, I think that a consensus can be achieved. I think that it's essential for that to happen in order for all of us, as a community, to go forward.

Matt, you covered a lot of territory, and I wanted to give you a reply, but to think about it a while.

First, there's a public meeting tomorrow that looks to be a first important one for your concerns, as you probably well know. According to the papers, the City Council managed to nearly double-schedule, but if I understand correctly, the meeting to attend is the EIR Scoping Session in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 4 to 7 pm.

The articles on this say 'important for ordinary persons to get your input early into the process', and that this meeting is to take real questions from persons in the public who attend. It's not for debate at the meeting; rather these personal questions will then be used to 'scope' the range of public interest, to decide what areas are required to be investigated by the EIR because Eurekans care. I take it these will be both for 'biological' environmental matters and for social and economic environment, like impact of the stores.

Now, my reaction to what you've written is that there is an amount of doubt there, even though as many would, you'd wish the best advancements for Eureka. And there are a lot of voices in the area speaking, saying everything from 'perfection is required' to 'watch out because Fortuna's going to compete'.

This is why for myself at least, I am glad also that it is going to be a public process. It's also why I am interested in discovering boundaries, as these help in sensible decision making. A decision is a decision, after all, not something any one person or group's ideas can justify or foretell.

Some of those boundaries may have had an early hint from the Oregon Hoyt report mentioned above, and each of them will get clearer in all the steps through in Eureka's own process.

I myself think most on two things. The environmental issue is important -- but I am pretty convinced from the Oregon episode that it will come out in a good and controlled way from CEQA. Given this is so, right will be done, and in a way that reasonable persons including scientists will know they can relax.

The other issue is wrapped up in the emotions evident from very old Humboldt politics, added with new one from dissatisfaction of our times in general, and the specific ones about big boxes.

Many thoughts come to mind, but a short one keeps returning, which is very practical it seems. Where is Eureka, at present in trouble even for its hospital, going to get another offer?

Looking again for guidelines, I seem to find that the anchors are necessary for financing such a development - and for one more thing that is interesting, and wasn't immediately apparent, though it appears in a radio audio on one of the protest websites.

This interview brings out that the anchors in this case are not just to assure rents are paid during critical times -- they are also to pull store traffic from a wide enough surrounding area that other, reasonably upscale retailers, in clothing and outfitting as I remember, are able to justify joining and having their own stores in the development. This is new business Eureka would not be able to draw at all otherwise, including from surrounding counties vs. travel to the bay area - and so the chain of improvement appears to have some links.

I will leave it here, and be very interested in those questions that come, and their answers, in community.

Kind regards, Matt and all.

Why not remodel the Bayshore Mall and attract those other retailers there? Traffic would be less of a problem. The Mall has empty space with more likely after the Marina Center Mall is built.

Well, the answers that came to me last night seem to stick: because new is important to have, for everyone, and so is renewing enormous blight, enclosing and encouraging downtown.

One other thought is that it seems not so likely that Bayshore Mall would be negatively affected. It too should benefit from more draw to Eureka from medium distance, and it doesn't seem that a layer of clothing stores of the level talked about are competing for the same purchases as Mervyns.

But again, these are snapshot answers, and people of Eureka itself need to be at the hearings, to help their representatives look, speak, and decide.

Well, from Kimberly Wear's article, not so many came to talk at the scoping session.

However, it sounds also from her article that many of the good and proper questions were raised.

So maybe the democracy does continue to work, in its always somewhat mysterious ways...

A nice Easter weekend to everyone.

Great stuff. Your blog is cool to read. KyleX

I'm not from the big city but born and raised in Eureka. I don't enjoy the massiveness of Los Angeles but having a Wal-mart or Home Depot or Lowes isn't LA. It's called competition. I've traveled quite a bit and nearly all cities of our size and smaller get great prices and benefits from having a least one. This issue for me is about getting lower prices and great deals. Why do so many people here insist on paying more than everyone else in the country and not just including higher gas prices?

Come on, lets get it right.

It's time to get past asking why, and get down to business. Pick a place to stand, and determine how you can help. It doesn't do any good to ask why.

At the risk of oversimplification, there are two primary types of "newcomers" to an area such as Eureka / Humboldt, those who came here to live a simpler, more beautiful life, and those who came looking for opportunity to exploit a less developed area.

Both have a right to live where they please. Both exist in great number up here.

This falls in with the basic (people) types, those who care less about conserving a bit of natural beauty, and those who care more.

Or those who want physical comforts regardless of the expense to their environment (or status - quo) and the desires of others to preserve it, vs those who would preserve it at the expense of those who likewise wish otherwise.

Looking back and around, there's no question "Who is winning?" It's just a matter of how quickly those who value "progress" above others' concerns can get their way.

But erosion and decay are a fact of all existance, why should we think we can avoid the erosion of that which we value; that which Nature/God has given us?

We cannot expect all others to value what each of us does. Knowing this, we can only work for what we value.

Here is what i think, which usually isnt worth alot i know , but, i think if you all let change happen which may or may not affect you and your businesses, you may, be able to get something, into northern california, that, may help, it your crime rate is just horrible, so i think in your case something is better than nothin, i lived there for my entire life, when i moved and you know where i live now is so much nicer and growin, the little businesses are ok. But the crime rate around here is better, you all need to look at it that way, before you fight change. Change the crime rate , thats one bandwagon to get on.

Change might not only lower the crime rate, but change could attract an English tutor for Christine. The bandwagon is getting bigger!

You can't be 34355 serious?!?

I moved away from Humboldt when I was five. Thankfully we moved to Mt. Hood, Oregon just an hour out of Portland.
We still visit my family down there often and I am not kidding, going down there is like going back a decade in time. I'm sure you all are living quite comfortably with your lack of corporations and a sad economy but beyond the fog you will find that development is crucial. Its not about keeping Eureka small and "like old times" its about contributing to freaking society. i am raised in an extremely liberal home and am a product of the hippy movement but seriously some of these humboldt residents need to learn when its necessary to put the bong down and get a job. some many minds and humans are being put to waste for some plaza dogging and its rediculous.
the plaza is totally not what it was eight years ago. i was down there recently and while walking to bubbles from vintage avenger (which is waaay over priced) a man asked my for cigarette and when i told him that i dont smoke he advised me to fuck off. i dont even experience stuff like that from the heroin adicts in downtown portland.
but its not just arcata, its eureka too. all the repubs love to send their kids to an overly crowded high school while complaining about the trustafarians playing hackie sack across the bay. yet at the same time they gotta support that piersons hardware and protest a home depot.
do you people even realize how much pierson's is ripping you off? my dad remodeled a deck in arcata for a family friend last month and after calculating the total cost of materials bought in humboldt county, he could have saved 6,300 dollars. no joke. he's a distinguished home remodeler in portland and knows his stuff. oh and the clothing stores are rediculous as well! "willow" in the arcata plaza next to hunan had a few shirts that i personally owned. both of them were tank tops that i bought at a forever 21 store in one of the malls out here. both of mine were made in the USA but the willow versions were made in sri lanka and were 32.00 and 36.50. you know how much i payed? 11 dollars for both of them NOT on sale. for the exact same fabric, same structure just a different brand.
just so you guys know it is possible to live in small town/surburban setting AND have the chain store necessities without turning into southern california.

ps- i think a truck of deoderant needs to be dropped in the middle of the HSU football field because the "crystal" you guys use out there just doesnt cut it. neither does the potoulli.