Austin Must Safeguard Small Businesses and Neighborhoods

Dear Editor,
    We read with great interest the challenge that the neighborhoods surrounding Northcross Mall are facing regarding the proposed “upscale” Wal-Mart. As owners of Tesoros Trading Company on 209 Congress, one of the three longstanding, locally owned businesses that will be displaced due to the three Marriott hotels that will be built on the block, we have been humbled by the experiences we’ve had both with our political leaders and the representatives of White Lodging/Marriott.
    It is clear to us that the city of Austin has been too slow in addressing the needs of its citizens and small businesses in the face of development (a sentiment that we have personally shared with them). Austin is a different kind of American city, where both its citizens and visitors appreciate its unique culture and spirit. Creative solutions are possible in a city like Austin. Although the mayor and council members have expressed sincere empathy toward our own situation, it’s a shame that the city did not set policies to safeguard the interests of neighborhoods and small businesses when Austin was clearly on the development swing. Not that we are against urban densification/renewal, nor do we negate private property rights, but the city should’ve had plans to ensure that developers address the needs of local citizens and independent businesses so that win-win situations are viable in the development process.
    But ultimately the issue is that it is very hard for regular citizens and small-business owners to go against big business to fight to preserve Austin’s individuality, when our city leaders say “there’s not much we can do, it’s a private deal.” Big business has big money, and unfortunately, big money wins.