Speak Out: What You're Saying About Wilde Lake Village Center Redevelopment

A recent article looked at the proposed redevelopment at Wilde Lake Village Center and the differences between what the center's owner wants to do with the site and what some local residents think should happen. The article met a variety of responses from readers.

Here's a sampling of what people said in the comments section. You're welcome to add your own thoughts below.

. Also of note are these blog entries and the comments they produced in March on Tales of Two Cities: "Meanwhile, Over in Wilde Lake" and "Hallowed Ground."

Harry Schwarz:

"Kimco and alternative planners need to appreciate that the Wilde Lake Village Center is truly a community gathering place. Any plans must support and enhance that reality. I frequently shop at the Hickory Ridge Village Center and rarely see the kind of 'hanging out' and community interaction that I see at Wilde Lake."

Lucy Lou:

"I think Kimco, and just about everyone else, has forgotten about the low-income people who live nearby and need a grocery store they can walk to. What if they don't want to do their daily grocery shopping at David's [Natural Market]? What if they can't afford to? The Crown [gas] station is not only a convenience for people who live nearby, but it also seems to be a community gathering place. And why should a local business owner be forced to shut his doors just because Kimco would rather see a drugstore there?"

Julia McCready:

"The fact the Kimco is willing to redevelop this site is a good sign for Wilde Lake, especially in this economy. Far worse to be striving for investment with a company that just doesn't care."

JessieX:

"I was at the WLVB meeting [...] when the Board had asked two long-time local commercial leasing agents to address both the plans, side by side. Again and again (and again), each time the Kimco [and] 'other' plan were looked at in detail, the experienced leasing agents explained to the board that their clients (both smaller and local and larger and national) would prefer the design from Kimco.

"Personally, I found the conversation astoundingly insightful; equally, I find it baffling that others won't listen to the sage advice of professionals who represent the eventual tenants needed to fill (lease) the spaces available in whomever's plan is executed."

Brian England:

"Cy [Paumier] and his friends have some great ideas. It is a shame that Kimco is not listening."