I feel compelled to confess this simple truth: I love Target.  My Wife and I shop there all the time, not to say we shop excessively. We both think of ourselves as modest and frugal, and we rely on their affordable prices to get the products we need regularly: food, clothes, and household goods.   We loath Wal-Mart, and at the same time, I realize it is completely hypocritical to give Target a free pass,  since they too are a large faceless multinational corporation, easily vivified.  I also r... anpersand MikeN comment-45990 2011-02-18T17:01:38Z 2011-02-18T17:01:38Z Well put. Lets get real. The city will be making a lot of money off of taxes from this building. I would geuss that no one who has commented here has ever permitted a residential home addition with the city. A 500 SF addition/kitchen remodel will cost $2,500 in permit fees and provides the local school district with $1,000 in cash and tons of new property tax income. Changing a fence from 6 feet to 8 feet will cost a homeowner $1,200 in permit fees. All of this is squandered by poorly run departments. And when people try and renew their aging uildings, everyone gets angry simply because they have the right to do so, not because it makes any sense. We are in the age of a logical revolution. Put some deep thought into your opinion and the world will be a better place. Target is smart and efficient, which is why their products are inexpensive. Get real author. Please research this building's construction before commenting in CAPS about how terrible it is. MikeN 2011-02-18T17:01:38Z Steve Tuck comment-25896 2010-04-29T16:13:09Z 2010-04-29T16:13:09Z It's nice to see people care about what's going on in the city but at the same time this is the kind of thing that gives Sacramento its cow town reputation. They are building a damn Target store. So what if they found loopholes to avoid paying permit fees and such? It's a smart business move to save money in a crappy economy. Is the Target store going to look worse than the boarded-up and vacant old Golden 1 building? Probably not. Is it going to be a busy store and full of shoppers everyday? Yes it will. The Sac State students alone who live in the area will benefit with this store right there because as of now there is nothing that compares to a Target in the immediate area, not to mention all the other residents who will shop this store. The city of Sacramento loses out on some building fees. So what. The city has bigger issues than a new Target store. Steve Tuck 2010-04-29T16:13:09Z Isaac Gonzalez comment-25827 2010-04-28T21:30:30Z 2010-04-28T21:30:30Z Here are the follow up questions I am sending to the City of Sacramento, Kevin McCarty, and a Target spokesman this afternoon: Question #1: In 2007 Target Corp announced plans for an “Urban” Target store at 65th and Broadway in response to local citizens objections to a standard “Suburban” Target store. #1 What benefits/differences did the Urban style store offer versus the Standard style store? Please be specific. (Source: Sacramento Bee June 4, 2007. Copy of article here: http://www.cityofsacramento.org/council/policies/files5125/Target%20May%20Hit%20the%20Mark%20for%20Design%20of%20New%20Store%20-%206.4.07.pdf ) Question #2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d: In 2009 it was reported that Target was abandoning it’s eariler plans to build the Urban store and instead remodeling the building currently on the 65th and Broadway site. 2a: Is it true (as reported in the Sacramento Bee) that “By adding no more than 10 percent to the building's existing footprint, the company can avoid the public hearings and design review that accompanies new projects or bigger expansions.”? 2b :What was the square-footage of the orginal building? (and) What is the square-footage of the new building? 2c: What if any monetary benefit does Target gain by remodeling the existing building? 2d: Are there any consiquences to the City of Sacramento from Target’s decisions? ie: Loses in Tax Revenue or Permit Fees? (Source: Sacramento Bee May 4. 2009: http://www.sacbee.com/2009/05/04/1833166/third-design-for-new-target-on.html?storylink=lingospot_related_articles#ixzz0mQlLpowx ) Question 3a & 3b: 3a: For the record, what is the City of Sacramento definition of a Remodel? 3b: Does the demolition of all but two free-standing sections of wall fall under that definition? I have asked that they respond by May 5th. Isaac Gonzalez 2010-04-28T21:30:30Z JoAnn Anglin comment-25801 2010-04-28T07:30:02Z 2010-04-28T07:30:02Z Thank you very much for bringing this to light. I also live in Tahoe Park area, and was NOT aware that the design had changed. This is very disappointing. How did the City Council and the mayor let them get by with this subterfuge? Again we see the difference between 'legal' and 'ethical' behavior. JoAnn Anglin 2010-04-28T07:30:02Z Isaac Gonzalez comment-25760 2010-04-27T21:52:42Z 2010-04-27T21:52:42Z DaveEdwards, Yes I have made contact with Maurice Chaney and others quoted in this story. I'm working on some questions and should have a follow-up story soon! Isaac Gonzalez 2010-04-27T21:52:42Z stillfresh comment-25753 2010-04-27T19:38:23Z 2010-04-27T19:38:23Z You can't fart in Sacramento without a permit. Target sells alcohol and will need an ABC license. Target will be intalling plumbing, electrical wiring, struts that hold loads -- ALL require permits, inspections. stillfresh 2010-04-27T19:38:23Z Dave Edwards comment-25742 2010-04-27T17:28:53Z 2010-04-27T17:28:53Z Xavier/Isaac... There was a response five days ago from Maurice Chaney at the City to get in touch with him and find out some more accurate, less speculative, aspects of this story. Did you ever get in touch with him? Dave Edwards 2010-04-27T17:28:53Z David Watts Barton comment-25532 2010-04-23T21:46:25Z 2010-04-23T21:46:25Z Isaac, thanks so much for bringing your byline into line with our terms of service. I think that you should be proud of your work in bringing this story out, and I'm pleased to have your real name associated with it. I am sure that I'm not the only one looking forward to more SacPress stories by Isaac Gonzalez! David Watts Barton 2010-04-23T21:46:25Z Marion Millin comment-25523 2010-04-23T20:18:09Z 2010-04-23T20:18:09Z All the critics of this article seem unaware of what is going on in the City of Sacramento right now. Aren't local media reporting this at all? Recent years of illegal and quasi-legal development practices in the city of Sacramento and under the City of Sacramento resulted in: rapid departure of two key players, current investigations, restructuring and renaming of the Development Services Department, the upcoming audit of that department and exposure of corruption in Natomas building permitting, the FPP process and unpaid developers' fees. Oh yeah: and the similarly squirrelly Buzz Box deal with the "nefarious" Nestle corporation to bottle and sell American River water. A culture which includes and enabled the lengthy "rap sheet" as a City Council member called it, of permitting and code violations of the partnership that you are promoting (don't forget the church the Cornerstone is moving to). Marion Millin 2010-04-23T20:18:09Z Marion Millin comment-25522 2010-04-23T20:01:02Z 2010-04-23T20:01:02Z Part of the "larger story" perhaps....... Recent years of illegal and quasi-legal development practices in the city of Sacramento and under the City of Sacramento resulted in: rapid departure of two key players, current investigations, restructuring and renaming of the Development Services Department, the upcoming audit of that department and exposure of corruption in Natomas building permitting, the FPP process and unpaid developers' fees. Business as usual. SNAFU. Marion Millin 2010-04-23T20:01:02Z Marion Millin comment-25520 2010-04-23T19:57:27Z 2010-04-23T19:57:27Z Professor Feynman, You and the other critics are picking on the quasi legal abuse of the term "remodel.' You all ignore the other aspects of the process and the writer's questions about how community agreements were broken and fees to the local government lost. You are criticizing an attentive, committed, well-informed member of the public, willing to publish citizen journalism at all, while you are hiding behind the name of a famous physicist, signing on just to attack this writer and promote propaganda about WalMart. Epic FAIL, perfesser. Marion Millin 2010-04-23T19:57:27Z Marion Millin comment-25518 2010-04-23T19:42:21Z 2010-04-23T19:42:21Z It's a schtick. Don't let the routine get to you. Good work. Ask to get on the mailing list for SacPress workshops, keep writing and Thank You for paying attention and for your commitment to community. Marion Millin 2010-04-23T19:42:21Z Marion Millin comment-25517 2010-04-23T19:40:30Z 2010-04-23T19:40:30Z W&S, you guys are hilarious. Recent years of illegal and quasi-legal development practices in the city of Sacramento and under the City of Sacramento resulted in: rapid departure of two key players, current investigations, restructuring and renaming of the Development Services Department, the upcoming audit of that department and exposure of corruption in Natomas building permitting, the FPP process and unpaid developers' fees. Business as usual. SNAFU. Marion Millin 2010-04-23T19:40:30Z Marion Millin comment-25516 2010-04-23T19:39:29Z 2010-04-23T19:39:29Z Matthew Salisbuty, Recent years of illegal and quasi-legal development practices in the city of Sacramento and under the City of Sacramento resulted in: rapid departure of two key players, current investigations, restructuring and renaming of the Development Services Department, the upcoming audit of that department and exposure of corruption in Natomas building permitting, the FPP process and unpaid developers' fees. Business as usual. SNAFU. Marion Millin 2010-04-23T19:39:29Z Ian Merker comment-25489 2010-04-23T15:52:38Z 2010-04-23T15:52:38Z I'm reminded of the plastic models in the windows of Japanese restaurants. A designer makes the model look enticing, you place the order, and then the owners and cooks do their thing. It was only your own twisted sense of reality that a bowl of plastic makes a fabulous meal. Ian Merker 2010-04-23T15:52:38Z Dave Edwards comment-25457 2010-04-23T06:47:37Z 2010-04-23T06:47:37Z I would be very surprised if they are avoiding permit fees through some nefarious end-around. Building permit fees are generally a function of the cost of the construction, whether it is new construction or a remodel, a house addition or a commercial structure. Now developers/applicants will often try to low ball the construction cost estimate to reduce the total cost of permits but there are still fees collected. Using your scenario, you are implying that there would be no fees owed on any number of significant Sacramento projects that I know had very large permit fees; e.g., East End Lofts, Zocalo Building, Firestone Building, etc., etc. What you are claiming simply is not true. Dave Edwards 2010-04-23T06:47:37Z Rhonda Erwin comment-25453 2010-04-23T04:11:00Z 2010-04-23T04:11:00Z Writing is an action. Rhonda Erwin 2010-04-23T04:11:00Z priordan comment-25451 2010-04-23T03:52:48Z 2010-04-23T03:52:48Z Xavier, I too live in the neighborhood of the Target location, and have also been wondering what was going on there. I also worked in the former Devleopment Services Department in 2007, when an application for a Target came in. However, the location for the proposed Target I came across was for the lot on the North side of Hwy 50 (between 50 and the Lightrail station). Anyhow, I am very much interested in what has happened and how it is that there was no opportunity for public comment on this project. I would also like to know any other information you may dig up on this matter... As you may know, the building/planning department in this city has a somewhat soiled reputation. And rightfully so! I would also like to extend an offer to assist you in your search for an answer... As I said, I live in the neighborhhood. priordan 2010-04-23T03:52:48Z Richard Feynman comment-25450 2010-04-23T03:38:31Z 2010-04-23T03:38:31Z Dear Xavier, Your argument on the apparent malevolent Target intrigues me. You mentioned that you and your wife “loath” Wal-Mart, but you fail to recognize how much of a rancor Target is to our society. Target’s entry level workers earn roughly the same as their associates at Wal-Mart, yet they have a more troublesome time qualifying for Health Care Coverage. These two corporations oppose unions and suppress any union organizing efforts, and in recent years have outsourced jobs to cut costs. While these two are both corporate giants, only Wal-Mart is seen as the root of all that’s evil as it swindles it employees to work long odd hours with little to no pay and no benefits, but thanks to chic advertising and a profusion of contributions to charities, Target is seen as a quintessential business and a compassionate employer. You even go out of your way to call Target a “large faceless multinational corporation”, so is it really that hard to comprehend that a “multinational corporation” will do anything they can do to maximize profits. You said it yourself, you are not an expert. You have no qualifications to critique Target’s construction as your are not a “building expert”, a “permit expert”, nor a “councilman” but you do have a “semi-good memory” [insert sarcasm]. This type of remodel is not anything new and is completely legal. Let’s step into their shoes for a minute, say you are remodeling your house and you want to build an extra story to your house, like all the other McMansions that plagued East Sacramento like locusts. Would you rather start from the ground up and abide to the modern zoning laws and codes or keep a few walls to have the historic zoning laws and save square footage and costs. It is hypocritical to argue against Target for their actions for all of us would have done the same thing, if put in their shoes and given the same circumstances. What I want to know most is why we are reading an article by an unqualified amateur author who goes by the pen name Xavier Ampersand, I’m guessing colon and apostrophe were taken; complain about Target’s construction in his neighborhood. My question is why are we not reading about some type of action taking place in the newspaper or on the news? Actions speak louder than words mi amigo. Sincerely, Richard Feynman Richard Feynman 2010-04-23T03:38:31Z thsas comment-25449 2010-04-23T03:24:00Z 2010-04-23T03:24:00Z It's about jobs. We need jobs. thsas 2010-04-23T03:24:00Z M@ Urquhart comment-25441 2010-04-22T23:30:32Z 2010-04-22T23:30:32Z Thanks for watching and noticing and reporting. M@ Urquhart 2010-04-22T23:30:32Z Isaac Gonzalez comment-25437 2010-04-22T22:13:20Z 2010-04-22T22:13:20Z waldorf: This is why Sacramento sucks? Because we engage in thought-provoking debate? And what does the President have to do with this? Are your arguements so really so narrow minded? That's too bad. Isaac Gonzalez 2010-04-22T22:13:20Z Rhonda Erwin comment-25436 2010-04-22T22:04:43Z 2010-04-22T22:04:43Z No disrespect intended: Just because it's legal doesn't make it moral. It can be considered a lie. And you can remodel a lie but it's still a lie. IF it were legal why not simply say they were going to rebuild target instead of tearing down the entire structure and then saying they're remodeling it? Also, Just because a whole lot of folks are doing it doesn't make it right. And come on seriously, Walmart, Target... and other corporations really don't need people who shop there or find their stores awesome - sticking up for them they can hire million dollar lawyers...... Seriously, I don't think Xavier has an issue with a store employing people and bringing in tax revenue for the city. He did not indicate that he wanted to see an abondoned structure, vacant buildings... For goodness sake, the man voiced a legimitate concern and it's taken out of context WHY?? Also, Target, Walmart.... while awesome, do more for themselves than they would the poor. The poor gives back to Target, walmart.... by shopping there..... So I disagree Xavier could be doing more for the poor-- considering walmart, target..... can find loop holes in paying city taxes and aren't giving things away........They profit . If they didn't you wouldn't find so many walmarts in or near poorer communities... Oh and West Sac does have its share of problems and a whole lot of folks "bitchin and moaning "about a whole lot of stuff going on in West Sac..... Rhonda Erwin 2010-04-22T22:04:43Z Mathew Salisbury comment-25429 2010-04-22T21:10:40Z 2010-04-22T21:10:40Z I understand and appreciate your concerns about Target's motives, Xavier. I was just clarifying that this practice is not necessarily unheard of, and is routinely used by builders/developers to circumvent permit fees and taxes. It's not just a Target practice, so it's not entirely fair to "target" Target only (no pun intended!). Keep up the good work. :-) Mathew Salisbury 2010-04-22T21:10:40Z Rhonda Erwin comment-25428 2010-04-22T21:00:36Z 2010-04-22T21:00:36Z Xavier: Keep up the good work! Rhonda Erwin 2010-04-22T21:00:36Z Isaac Gonzalez comment-25427 2010-04-22T20:57:31Z 2010-04-22T20:57:31Z Mathew; I argree with you, and am familar with the "save the fireplace, remodel the house" concept of home building. My issue (if I even have one) is that orginally, Target wanted a new "box" store (with new taxes), then in response to the wishes of the local citizens, redesigned to the "urban" style store (with new taxes), and is now pretty much getting what they orginally wanted (the box store) WITHOUT paying the taxes. I want to believe that Target's claim's to be pro-neighborhood and pro-community are not just lip-service, but it seems when it comes to money, Target's claims leave something to be desired. Isaac Gonzalez 2010-04-22T20:57:31Z Rhonda Erwin comment-25426 2010-04-22T21:11:42Z 2010-04-22T21:11:42Z I think he is working to address this concern. ""The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet." or the journey of a thousands miles begins with its first steps: it appears to me he is stepping, walking towards a journey.... by writing, voicing his concerns and that movement can step to laws changing....... Rhonda Erwin 2010-04-22T21:11:42Z Mathew Salisbury comment-25420 2010-04-22T20:02:29Z 2010-04-22T20:02:29Z About two weeks ago I was driving by the site (also near my neighborhood) with an Architect friend of mine, and mentioned to him that I thought it unusual that they demo'd the entire building except for the two free-standing walls. He explained to me that that is hardly unusual at all, that it happens all the time, and that the express purpose of that type of demo is so the developer/builder can call it a "remodel" instead of "new construction", precisely for the reasons you stated in your article, it avoids permit fees and taxes. Accroding to my friend this is common industry practice, happens all the time and is completely legal. Developers do the very same thing with home "remodels". As long as certain structural features remain a part of the new building (i.e a couple of walls, a fireplace chimney, part of the original slab, etc.) it is considered a "remodel". This is not some vast conspiracy on the part of Target, but rather common, standard practice in the building industry. If you think it is wrong, then work to have the laws and regulations governing the construction industry changed to eliminate loopholes such as this practice. Just saying... Mathew Salisbury 2010-04-22T20:02:29Z Maurice Chaney comment-25411 2010-04-22T17:57:19Z 2010-04-22T17:57:19Z Xavier, I work with the City of Sacramento and we would certainly welcome the opportunity to discuss in greater detail this project and its components. There are some inaccuracies that we would like to clarify. Please contact me at mchaney@cityofsacramento.org. Maurice Chaney 2010-04-22T17:57:19Z David Watts Barton comment-25408 2010-04-22T17:26:11Z 2010-04-22T17:26:11Z "Xavier": I would encourage you to do that. We are trying to help build a community of citizen journalists, and your work has brought some important aspects of this project to light. But it would be a stronger piece if you'd given someone at the City the opportunity to respond to what you're learning - they might have a response that would give your article more dimension. That said, your work is a great addition to SacPress. Thanks! David Watts Barton 2010-04-22T17:26:11Z Isaac Gonzalez comment-25379 2010-04-22T15:13:21Z 2010-04-22T15:13:21Z Thanks a lot Rhonda. I am going to attempt to contact the people quoted in my article over the next few days and see if I can't get some follow-up answers! Isaac Gonzalez 2010-04-22T15:13:21Z Rhonda Erwin comment-25372 2010-04-22T05:10:05Z 2010-04-22T05:10:05Z “Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.” (Haile Selassie ) I'm impressed with your "Illegal Signs Removed, Guerilla style" article. I’m even more impressed with your Target Calls it Remodel. Is it?" article. "We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history." (Sonia Johnson). You’re one determined person and in my opinion making a significant difference with your writing and actions!! And I "never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has. " (Margaret Mead) --- Thank you Xavier for your actions & voice !! Rhonda Erwin 2010-04-22T05:10:05Z