From The Daily Collegian

Opinion
Wal-Mart construction bad for Hadley
and UMass residents

November 02, 2005

If the traffic on Route 9 wasn't bad enough ...

The proposed construction projects of Home Depot, Lowe's and a "SuperCenter" Wal-Mart on this popular retail stretch in Hadley would not only bring an additional 25,000 cars every Saturday, but a host of other problems as well.

The town of Hadley is facing a crucial decision, and possibly an ultimate demise, if yet another development is built on land that has already been completely transformed.

The current Wal-Mart in the Mountain Farms Mall plans to relocate into a proposed 212,000 square-foot SuperCenter at the nearby Hampshire Mall. The new mega store, which would sit across the street from its current location, would be the largest structure ever built in Hadley's 350-year history.

In addition, a new 323,401 square-foot "Hadley Corner" project on the other side of Route 9, to include a Home Depot and eight other retailers is also planned. On top of that, a 140,000 square-foot Lowe's Home Improvement store has been proposed for the westbound side of Route 9, adjacent to the Long Hollow Bison Farm, just past the current Wal-Mart.

According to Hadley's bylaws, a developer must show the town Planning Board how it will "reduce anticipated vehicle trips by 35 percent" and provide sidewalks. Developers are also prohibited to have underground storage tanks. Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Lowe's have not shown the Planning Board how they will achieve these goals, and Wal- Mart plans to build a gas station. Yet, the proposals were still approved.

"All [of the planning] is handled by a volunteer board that comes in two or three nights a month to try to get a handle on this," said David Elvin, a member of Hadley Neighbors for Sensible Development, a group strongly opposed to the construction plans.

One of the biggest opponents of the Wal-Mart expansion, Andy Morris- Friedman said his biggest concern with the Wal-Mart SuperCenter is its plan to build a gas station on the premises. Morris-Friedman, the creator of the Web site nowaywalmart.com, and other opponents are afraid of possible runoff from the gas station and its proximity to a bike trail, which runs behind the mall.

Morris-Friedman told the Daily Collegian in September that he wouldn't support a new Wal-Mart "unless they change their project design to protect the rail trial," which was originally planned for just 50 feet away. Wal-Mart has since moved the planned location of the gas tanks, but an oil changing station remains close to a water supply.

As mentioned, there is a long list of reasons why these planned developments are bad ideas, which include concerns for open space, drinking water supplies, wetlands, air quality, noise, hazardous materials, public transportation, local culture and the economy - more information than what could fit into a 600-word editorial. However, there is one ultimate reason why people should oppose the planned construction: It will negatively affect the quality of life in Hadley indefinitely.

With all the recently completed and future construction in the area - including construction here at the University of Massachusetts - Hadley Neighbors for Sensible Development estimates an additional 50,000 or more vehicle trips on weekdays. MassHighway has designated Route 9 a "corridor of critical concern" and the Pioneer Valley Congestion Management System says Route 9 is a "high priority congestion problem."

If the all the construction is built as expected, who's to benefit? Certainly not the residents of Hadley.

Check out hadleyneighbors.org for more information.

Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of The Massachusetts Daily Collegian Editorial Board.