I see that CVS followed through and closed the store at Alma School & Elliot. Before they closed, the employees told me that CVS owns the property, and intends to keep it vacant and ugly for a full year, at least.

I don't know why CVS is doing this, but it seems to me that it adds blight to that corner...makes it appear we're a dying neighborhood. Is there anything that can be done to get them to either lease the property or sell it?

Meanwhile, I refused to transfer my prescription business to the new store.

Commercial Blight

I agree with you about the closure of the CVS store as we already have so many vacant store spaces in a number of shopping centers around the Amberwood North neigbhorhood. It is nice to hear that the Chandler Mercado Shopping Center is currently undergoing a revitalization that will hopefully bring that retail center back to life.

To voice your concerns, try calling or emailing:
Harry Paxton, Retail Specialist City of Chandler
(480) 782-3034
harry.paxton@chandleraz.gov

By Judith

Closed CVS Store

This isn't a new phenomenon. Supermarkets that have merged or relocated have been using this self-centered tactic for years to keep out competition, if nothing else by refusing to sell or lease to another supermarket. Of course, since the property is pretty much worthless while vacant, that probably cuts down on the taxes paid during that time, shortchanging the city of revenue and entry-level employment, let alone what it does to neighborhood property values.

What's needed is a city ordinance that requires that the taxes continue as is until there is a new tenant.

Or maybe there is, and I just don't know what I'm talking about. But the appearance of those empty hulks in our midst tells me that there ought to be a law of some kind that either isn't there now, or just isn't being enforced.

Any comments from those who know better than me?

By Reg