Big box annex?

[WA Planner]

I heard an interesting idea recently: For each permitted big box retailer permitted outside urban areas, make a requirement to either; a) pay into a downtown redevelopment fund, or more interesting, b) open a small percentage of floor area, perhaps 3 percent, as an annex downtown. I'm certain such an ordinance would not stand up to legal challenge, but it would be another strategy to address the impacts of sprawl.

 

[mike gurnee]

Interesting ideas, though I don't understand b). One town I worked in convinced the hospital and near town mall to be contributing members of the main street organization ($1,000 a year). Whether or not you can force a contribution depends on your state legislation and your courts (after you convince the local government to try it).