06/14/2007

News in brief

Filer Township may be getting Wal-Mart

FROM STAFF REPORTS

MANISTEE — A city council vote to sell nearly 20 acres of land in Filer Township may pave the way for a Wal-Mart Supercenter.

The council voted 6 to 1 Tuesday evening to sell the land to the Wal-Mart Real Estate Trust for $1,948,000, said Mayor Cyndy Fuller.

The deal has been in the works since last year, when a public hearing on the proposed sale ignited passions of people for and against Wal-Mart locating near Manistee.

The debate over Wal-Mart likely will change venue to Filer Township, where as of last week officials had not received any land use applications for the property.

Wal-Mart opponents say the retailing giant could spell disaster for small businesses on River Street. Proponents believe Manistee needs Wal-Mart's low prices and that downtown businesses already emphasize boutique-style shopping that wouldn't be in competition with Wal-Mart.