Wal-Mart opening set next week

Retail giant Wal-Mart will open its doors Wednesday, capping years of

fighting between residents and school district officials.

The 135,000-square-foot store sits on a 14-acre site at 8230 Talbert

Ave.

Wal-Mart officials could not provide an opening time by press

deadline.

In March 2000, 54.1% of voters cast their ballots defeating Measure I.

Had it passed, the measure would have forced the city to rezone the

former Crest View School campus on Talbert Avenue near Beach Boulevard to

residential, halting Wal-Mart’s plan to build there.

Community members who formed Crest View United opposed the Wal-Mart

construction, claiming the store would bring increased traffic, noise and

air pollution to the neighborhood.

Save Our Schools and Save Our City united to counter the effort

because of the expected revenue the store will bring.

Ocean View School District will receive $400,000 annually from lease

income, which will used for school facility improvements.

The city is expected to get the same amount in sales tax revenue to be

used for everything from sports and recreational facilities to a senior

center.