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02/01/2007 01:40 PM

Neighborhood group calls for Wal-Mart boycott

By: News 8 Austin Staff

Concerned homeowners in North Austin are taking their fight against Wal-Mart to the next level.

A group called Responsible Growth for Northcross is calling for a city-wide boycott of Austin’s seven Wal-Mart stores. They held a town hall meeting Wednesday with hundreds in attendance.

Lincoln Property Company plans to build a Wal-Mart at Northcross mall. Nearby residents of the Allandale, Brentwood, Crestview, North Shoal Creek, Rosedale and Wooten neighborhoods want developers to consider other alternatives.

"We are talking about the thing we need to do to show the developer that we have a more compelling vision for them and that we the citizens and this city does not want this kind of development," Jason Meeker of RG4N said.

All permits have been approved for Wal-Mart's construction. But many argue that the 225,000-square-foot store would attract more traffic and crime to the neighborhood.

Wal-Mart declined to comment.