Aiken's downtown is a unique place

Regarding PJ Foster's letter, April 17, we totally agree. Wal-Mart and the other Goliath box stores are transitions to the future. Foster alluded to an experience fighting the Goliath in another community. We also had that same experience in our hometown in California. There are hundreds of testimonies from small communities across our nation of how their downtowns became ghosts of themselves. The small mom and pop businesses are no longer the cement of America's economy.

The last two generations have become accustomed to a lifestyle of "convenience." They expect the "one-stop shopping" experience. Wal-Mart is the Goliath, now a worldwide corporation, spreading its tentacles in villages and small towns throughout many countries. Here's an example of how the Planning Board of New Paltz, N.Y., crunched the numbers when Wal-Mart wanted to build a Super-box store in their community:

Wal-Mart property tax = +$100,000

Cost of municipal services = -$29,000

Cost of additional services = -$5,000

Tax losses at three other malls = -$29,000

Fifty percent property tax abatement = -$50,000

Total town tax deficit: <$13,000>

Have the Aiken City fathers factored the hidden costs of this second Super-Goliath box store? Have they examined how the present Wal-Mart has affected the community? How much extra tax revenue is a result of Wal-Mart and what are the positive or negative offsets? The one possible advantage: convenience for north-side residents and better traffic flow.

Having said that, Aiken is in a different category. Downtown Aiken has so far succeeded in adjusting to the onslaught of the strip malls, north and south. It is only by encouraging the development of Aiken's downtown uniqueness and growth of small shops and boutiques, restaurants, deli and coffee shops, antique and kitchen shops. The extra of Aiken's theater, Art Center and artists with their galleries provides another unique area of interest besides the equestrian community. Add the history preserved by museums and the woods and parks, there are plenty of interests within the city limits to attract people.

We hope the city fathers and citizens continue to encourage and attract local citizens to grow unique businesses in Aiken, emphasizing the distinct flavors which will attract local citizens and visitors from across the country. Wal-Marts will come and go, but the downtown will remain always.

Vince & Bonnie Alba
Aiken