Despite it being more than three years since the idea was first considered, Pullman residents are still divided over the idea of a Wal-Mart being built in the community.

The issue has led the WSU Economics Club to hold an open forum at 7 p.m. in Todd 216.

The original plan included a Wal-Mart Supercenter with a full-service grocery center, the standard 36 departments of merchandise and a tire and lube express center being built across from Safeway, off Bishop Boulevard. When it was announced, most thought the process would be smooth with the estimated 223,000 square foot complex opening by January 2006.

But the process has been anything but smooth with petitions, complaints and groups forming on both sides of the controversial topic. The issue is at a standstill as sides wait for the outcome of an appeal challenging whether the proposed site plan and projected environmental impact of the store has satisfied state requirements.

The Appeal Pullman Planning Director Pete Dickinson said the Court of Appeals in Spokane will soon hear oral arguments by attorneys representing Wal-Mart and the Pullman Alliance for Responsible Development, which filed the appeal a year ago. He said people shouldn’t be expecting a decision in the immediate future.

“It’s difficult to predict a time frame for when all this will be sorted out and the final decision made,” Dickinson said. “There are no absolute deadlines involved but hopefully a decision will be made in 2008.” PARD and many Pullman residents are hoping the decision will be against Wal-Mart, preventing them from building in the city.

PARD’s appeal is based upon the numerous negative impacts on the community they said Wal-Mart will bring, most of which they feel haven’t been adequately examined. Among their concerns are erroneous interpretations of the law, which they said would lead to adverse impacts on traffic, vehicular and parking regulations, environmental care and other aspects of the community.

T.V. Reed, former spokesman and member of PARD, said a concern for small businesses was one of two major issues at hand, the other being the placement.

Reed said many feel Bishop Boulevard is a terrible place to build the store because it will cause massive traffic on an already difficult-to-navigate road near WSU and Pullman Regional Hospital. The building could also adversely affect local businesses, he said.

“Wal-Mart has around 119,000 separate products,” Reed said. “This means virtually every store would be affected and, in our economic climate, that would be a very detrimental occurrence.” That climate is something PARD and those in agreement with them feel the city council and planner failed to take into account when they concluded the store would not have an adverse impact on the environment or community.

A Right to Build But not everyone is voicing concern over Wal-Mart being built in Pullman. Many students said a store open 24 hours would benefit them because they would always have access to food or supplies they might need. Some feel it will bring a huge economic boost to the community by attracting more outsiders and prospective customers as well as employing approximately 400 people in stable jobs.

Some worry the same stability is not guaranteed in a small-business setting where there can be long stretches of non-productivity.

“In this free market, they have the right to establish themselves here as anyone else would, just like Safeway or Dissmore’s or any business,” said Daniel Schanze, a senior marketing major and president of the WSU College Republicans. “Also, competition brings out the best in people, so this could help other businesses do better while also benefiting the students by giving them an alternative place to shop.” To help bring people up to speed and to address the different concerns and viewpoints, the WSU Economics Club is hosting a forum to discuss what they call “Wal-Mart: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.” The forum will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. in Todd 216 and is free and open to the public. Speakers include faculty and professors, as well as students from the School of Economic Sciences.

Grant Williams, WSU Economics Club President, said the issue is a very important one and that everyone should attend the forum.

“Regardless of the outcome, the Wal-Mart situation will certainly change Pullman as we know it,” Williams said.