Critics Seek To Block Plan For Wal-Mart In Queens

• Originally published in the New York Times December 17, 2004 

Copyright 2004 The New York Times Company


By JENNIFER 8. LEE


A proposal to make Rego Park in Queens the site of the city's first Wal-Mart has mobilized labor groups, elected officials and local businesses in an effort to keep it away, even as some area residents say they would welcome its famously low prices.

Wal-Mart announced last week that it is planning to build a 135,000-square-foot store in Rego Park in a parking lot located one block off the bustling Queens Boulevard retail strip. Vornado Realty Trust, a Manhattan commercial real estate company, controls both the lot and a neighboring complex that already houses large stores like Sears, Old Navy, and Bed Bath & Beyond.

Brian M. McLaughlin, president of the New York City Central Labor Council, said that opposition to Wal-Mart is uniting businesses, labor unions, the N.A.A.C.P., immigrant advocacy groups and religious organizations. ''We think Wal-Mart is a thread that links us all together,'' said Mr. McLaughlin, whose group serves as an umbrella for 1.5 million workers in New York City. ''Wal-Mart is a buzzword for indecency.''

Wal-Mart sells everything from electronics to clothing and has been criticized for driving local competitors out of business, and for the modest wages it pays its workers.

Mia Masten, a spokeswoman for Wal-Mart, said the average Wal-Mart full-time wage in urban areas of $10.38 an hour is twice the minimum wage in New York City.

''Looking at small business owners, they are very tenacious, very savvy, flexible and adaptable,'' said Ms. Masten. ''In order for anyone to survive you have to be able to service your customers.''

Ruben Cruz, manager of sales at a nearby CompUSA, said representatives from corporate headquarters contacted him as soon as the news broke about the proposed Wal-Mart. Mr. Cruz had to print out the proposed site on MapQuest, color it in and fax it to headquarters. ''I'm up in arms and preparing,'' he said.

But, as if to underscore the varied emotions brought on by the mere mention of the name Wal-Mart, some residents shrugged off the concerns. ''It brings shopping, people, business, jobs,'' said David Mammina, an architect who describes himself as unabashedly ''pro-development.''

Jon Batash, a doctor who lives and works in the area, said: ''They're going to do well. People in this neighborhood all shop at the store that offers the best price. They don't have that much loyalty.''

Still, Representative Anthony D. Weiner, a Democrat who represents Rego Park, held a press conference yesterday to voice his opposition to the proposal. ''Such purported low costs has high costs for the community,'' he said.

Wal-Mart, which opens about 300 stores a year, is going into urban areas to maintain the company's growth. It recently received approval to build a store in Chicago, and has also opened a store in Los Angeles. The company is also moving aggressively in the New York metropolitan area, opening a store in Secaucus, N.J., on Oct. 21 and planning to open a store in White Plains.

The Queens Wal-Mart will be subject to the city's months-long land-use approval process, which includes a review by the local community board, the Queens borough president and the City Planning Commission.