Northshore Neighbors Fight 'Big Box' Stores

COVINGTON, La. - WDSU .com

Three years ago, Northshore residents successfully blocked an effort to bring big box stores to the Colonial Pinnacle Nord Du Lac Mall project west of Covington.

But now, the idea is back up for debate, and one neighborhood is not excited about it.

When residents moved to Flowers Estates off Highway 21 years ago, it was all country. That's all changed. Highway 21 has exploded with construction, road work and traffic.

Residents battled the idea of big chain stores in the Nord Du Lac project, trying to protect their way of life. But developers, wanting to keep the project moving forward, have gone back to Flowers Estates residents for another try.

"The idea of going back to what everyone was so vehemently opposed to in the beginning, big boxes anchored by Walmart and Sam's, is not what the neighborhood seems to be in favor of at this point," said P.J. Stakelum with the Flowers Estates Homeowners Association.

Concerned about fewer available tenants, the changing economy and the real estate market, Colonial representatives have met a number of times with Flowers Estates residents.

Residents say recent proposals offer to reduce the size of the proposed big box outlets, but most people remain opposed to them.

"What has changed except a larger population that wanted the green space, so why are they putting the concrete and the big boxes?" Julie Authement said. "I don't want to see it happen."

Stakelum said neighbors are open to listening to proposals.

"I believe the neighborhood was much in favor of the upscale lifestyle center that was originally proposed. We'd all love to see Colonial Trust go forward and build what they had originally proposed," he said.

Some time next year, a Kohl's and some restaurants are supposed to open at Nord Du Lac, and that plan is still on schedule. The development's first phase should be open by October 2010.

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