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Tractor equipment sits among vineyards and houses near Stockton Street on the Reynolds Ranch development site. (Dan Evans/News-Sentinel)

Surge of retail on Lodi's horizon

Two major projects up for fall votes

By Chris Nichols
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
Saturday, August 30, 2008 6:46 AM PDT

Comments (61 comment(s))

Between Lodi's two largest commercial developments — Reynolds Ranch and the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter project — there are more than a million square-feet of retail space on the city's horizon.

Combined, that's a lot of shopping. It's about as much space as the massive Elk Grove Promenade being built along Highway 99 at Grant Line Road.

And while at least one private firm cautioned that the Supercenter project alone could create an "oversupply" of retail in the Lodi area, local real estate and government leaders say that with time, the projects will fit just right.

Demand, they noted, might not be here now. But it will be.

"In California, it takes so long to get approvals on projects it makes sense to look down the road five years," said Garry Duncan, owner of The Duncan Co. Inc., who has worked as a commercial real estate broker in the area since 1981.

"Long term," he added, "I don't think it's a problem."

Duncan, along with several others, noted that Reynolds Ranch and the Supercenter will draw customers from shopping-starved Galt, the foothills and even north Stockton.

That's exactly what Dale Gillespie, lead developer for Reynolds Ranch, is betting on. He asked city planning commissioners this week to allow his project to expand to 750,000 square-feet of retail space. The development is partially under construction at Harney Lane west of Highway 99. It includes the new Blue Shield office building.

A bust for houses but boon for commercial?

Gillespie's request was put on-hold so commissioners can take a closer look at the increased traffic the changes would produce.

The developer had asked to trim back space for single-family homes and eliminate a planned elementary school, citing the failing housing market.

Initial plans for Reynolds Ranch, showing 350,000 square-feet of retail, were approved by the Lodi City Council in 2006.


(Marc Lutz/News-Sentinel)

The Supercenter project, by comparison, would include 13 buildings and nearly 340,000 square-feet of retail, the bulk of it in the 226,000 square-foot Supercenter. That project, which still needs approval from the council, is formally known as the Lodi Shopping Center. It would sit across town from Reynolds Ranch, on the southwest corner of Lower Sacramento Road and Kettleman Lane.

A private firm that has studied both projects has stated Lodi may be in for a saturation of retail shops in the coming years.

Pacific Municipal Consultants of Rancho Cordova was hired to assess the effects of the Supercenter. It was also charged with looking at the cumulative affects of the area's planned growth.

An excerpt of the report, included in the Supercenter's final revised environmental impact report, states:

"The construction of the Lodi Shopping Center in combination with Reynolds Ranch could lead to an oversupply of retail space in the Lodi area. To illustrate, with the completion of the Lodi Shopping Center alone, it is estimated that there would remain a residual demand for approximately 22,000 square-feet of retail space over the 2006 to 2015 period."

Lodi City Councilman Larry Hansen said he doesn't buy that argument. He noted that the city desperately needs to raise sales tax revenue. City spokesman Jeff Hood confirmed this week that Lodi sales tax revenue is expected to be down $800,000 from earlier estimates.

"I respect (the consultant's) opinion that says there might be too much, but I'm not sure I agree with it. ... I think we can support a lot of retail."

"Look at Roseville," he added. "It used to be a city the size of Lodi, and it's shown it can support a lot of retail," Hansen added.

Westfield America Inc. opened the Roseville Galleria mall in 2000. It now offers more than a million square feet of shopping.

More plan reviews coming

Both Reynolds Ranch and the Supercenter must clear several hurdles before they can open.

Planning commissioners, for example, said they're concerned that expanded retail at Reynolds Ranch will lead to gridlock on the Harney Lane interchange at Highway 99.

Residents who live within Reynolds Ranch's bounds also have taken issue with its expanded retail plans.

Several spoke out at the commission meeting Wednesday night, saying they will be boxed in by retail stores.

The Supercenter project has sparked heated debate in Lodi for half a decade, and continues to do so.

Commissioners will review a revised environmental report for that project on Sept. 24.

Commissioner Tim Mattheis said Wednesday night he was astounded that city planning staff had not required additional traffic improvements for Reynolds Ranch's proposed retail expansion.

Lodi Public Works Director Wally Sandelin explained Friday that he's confident requirements set in place in 2006 are sufficient. He said initial traffic studies made conservative estimates for how many cars would travel Harney Lane and other nearby roads.

Those initial requirements will stand when and if the project is expanded, he said.

Before the anchor commercial stores open at Reynolds Ranch, expected at the earliest by fall 2009, Harney Lane must be widened to four lanes between Stockton Street and the future Reynolds Ranch Parkway, the development's main thoroughfare. Traffic signals will be placed at the intersection of Reynolds Ranch Parkway and Harney Lane and on each side of the Harney Lane interchange with Highway 99 before the stores open, Sandelin said.

"The (traffic improvement) plans are all in place — they're sitting right here," he added.

Widening the highway interchange is a $35 million project and won't happen before the first stores open. Construction could start on the interchange by 2011, Sandelin said.

While the Supercenter project and Reynolds Ranch each have a somewhat thorny path ahead, they also have a lot of promise, said longtime Lodi real estate agent Paul Mertz.

"The companies that are looking at this kind of stuff are usually substantial — and they do their homework," said Mertz, who specializes in residential real estate. "My guess is their timing on this is going to be pretty good."

Contact reporter Chris Nichols at chrisn@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

Zinfandel wrote on Sep 7, 2008 7:47 AM:

" Lodian wrote on Sep 6, 2008 11:39 PM:

" We're losing our livable lovable Lodi. "

Lodian, please, Lodi has not been "livable or lovable" for a very very long time! And before you start, I am a native born Lodian and I know how snobbish and cliquish this town is! "

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Lodian wrote on Sep 6, 2008 11:39 PM:

" We're losing our livable lovable Lodi. "

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Robb wrote on Sep 5, 2008 7:01 PM:

" I am with socrates, dig up all the vineyards, build, build, build!!! "

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Socrates wrote on Sep 4, 2008 8:45 AM:

" When will Lodi residents stand up to the wealthy land developers who own Lodi? Why build more retail for what? For land developers to get wealthy selling plots to big box stores that eat up prime real estate. "

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TandC wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:13 PM:

" Raiderhater, and all that barren land and decrepit and rundown and soon to be vacant buildings being vacated by BC/BS. Maybe they should require the developers and builders to buy that property if they don't want to purchase those 200 acres or so, but are trying to get off the hook by "borrowing" land from a business associate or friend. That eastside industrial area around Industrial way and the new winery warehouses looks like crap, yet the local yokels want to start yet another industrial type area at Reynolds Ranch. "

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T & C wrote on Sep 1, 2008 7:38 PM:

" Hey TandC?

Please give serious consideration to being a spokesman for Safeway and the other big grocery store chains in their bid to stop the super wal-mart from breaking ground! "

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raiderhater wrote on Sep 1, 2008 4:20 PM:

" Why is this expansion so desired, when the town still has brand new buildings with no tenants?

Ex: Vinter's Square? "

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TandC wrote on Sep 1, 2008 3:51 PM:

" Dogs, when I retired I was paying $90.00 a week+ $19.00 a month in union dues. I wrote it off on my taxes every year and didn't like the fact that my dues were spent on sponsoring a NASCAR race car and on endless dem issues that didn't interest me one bit. But for the great pay, benefits and early retirement, it was worth every penny of it. I'll bet even the non-union employees couldn't take that $379.00 a month and even get a decent health plan and 401K that they may not even get if their employer either goes broke or embezzles it. We can see there are good and bad to every side of the story. "

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dogs4you wrote on Sep 1, 2008 1:56 PM:

" T&C: While I will never surrender, I know enough when to advance to the rear, Marines never surrender. We have been beating on this dead horse long enough. Looks like I`ll do something constructive and vacuum the house, I`ll have to change the bag first. One thing I didn`t like about the union was, every pay day it felt like I was wearing a barbwire jock. They were getting a gold mind awhile I was getting the shaft, sorta like something for nothing. Wait for tomorrow so that Rich and Marty can give us something new to bitch about. "

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T & C wrote on Sep 1, 2008 1:33 PM:

" sorry TandC, Unions HIRE Union Workers! Regular companies can "Outsourse labor if they choose too!" "

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dogs4you wrote on Sep 1, 2008 1:01 PM:

" No T&C, I worked for the best Gas and Electric compay there is. An example of how things have changed in this country, I`ll though a few at you, going back a few years or more, many more. American was built by anyone that was willing to work, the Empire State, the Chrysler Bulding, the most famous and beautiful bridge in the world, and that huge chunck of concrete in the Colorado River, if those were to be built today, with all the BS, EIR, saftey concerns, union bickering, they wouldn`t be built, simply because no one could afford to do it. I don`t think the US government has that kind of money to build another Hoover Dam, and Arnold along with Sen. Finstine want`s to build two maybe 3. Oh, there is a way, float a bond, bonds seem to be the way out of all the on going problems we have today. I have mentened in the paper that the building of a desalination plant is the final answer to the big cities water problems, Oceanside Ca. is building one that will make 300,000 gallons of fresh water a day. "

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TandC wrote on Sep 1, 2008 12:45 PM:

" One important fact I left out is that it's so easy for the unions to recruit from the scab side is that they are given the same treatment as everyone else is afforded and not treated like a dog.
Their starting pay scale is usually as high or, even as an apprentice, 4 or 5 dollars more an hour to start with and medical and pension for every member with enough hours and classes after a 60-day probationary period.
Our mechanical crafts have these apprenticeship classes also available to the non-union sector, but most non-union contractors opt not to use them because then they'd have to structure this apprentice's wage at about $15 an hour starting wage while the non-union contractor will only be paying $8hour or so.
And the non-union contractor will have 5, say carpenters all doing the same work, yet they'll be making 5 different wage levels, while the union craftsmen all make the same wage while doing the same work. The boss' kid on the non-union will be making the highest wage on the scab job, while on the union job he'll make the same as everyone else. "

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TandC wrote on Sep 1, 2008 12:33 PM:

" dogs4, you call it greed? What's so greedy about some hard work and the intelligence to go along with it to plan your future so well? Oh my, a dirty,sweaty, hard working union construction worker retire early with bunches of money, dignity and a back that's only half broken down?
I don't have any hard feelings for any employer that takes good care of their employees whether they're union or not. I do disrespect those employers, union or not, that take advantage of their employees and cheat and lie to them and manipulate their wages and hours only to benefit their own deep pockets. You contractors and business owners know who you are. You're the ones with different employees every month or so and your ex-employees aren't afraid to tell it like it is about the way they were treated and taken advantage of. Guess I'll go fold clothes and vacuum now and thanks dogs, for your opinion on this subject. retirement is tough! LOL "

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TandC wrote on Sep 1, 2008 12:21 PM:

" dogs, you must've been a union member at General Mills. Their retirement is atrocious for the successful company that it is and all the freebies they get from Lodi and us taxpayers. My father-in-law, bless his soul, nextdoor neighbor and neighbor across the street retired from GM and if it weren't for their social security, their GM retirement wasn't enough to carry them through retirement alone. Warren retired to New Mexico and had to come back to Lodi to have any medical coverage paid. I talked to a GM employee, a real old timer getting ready to retire, and he says the pension plan is still very lacking in the amount one would expect to get after so many years there.
In the union I participate in, we were paid an additional $6hour by our employer into a secondary supplemental pension fund over and above our regular pension and my two best friends in Tracy started in 1985 with $2hour and increasing each year, and presently it's $8hour and they have missed very little work and both have in excess of $600,000 in their supplemental accounts, as do at least half of the members in the bay area local. "

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TandC wrote on Sep 1, 2008 12:08 PM:

" That's the way it works in every town. As long as the work is tolerable and the bid is close to low, I think they should stay with the local contractors if they are capable of handling the project. With the downtown project, the train depot relocation, the temporary Christmas skating rink and the $180,000 bus shelter joke, I don't think Diede should any longer be given a free ride, nor should Case construction. That's my opinion and some of that I base on the pickets that're seen at Diede's yard in the near past. As long as these contractors are paying fair wages and overtime and prevailing wage on their public works jobs, then that's great.
Our union organizing, which includes all the mechanical crafts, will be sure certified payrolls are turned in on all these jobs. The city of Lodi was lax in 2004-2005 and let a contractor slide without turning those payroll receipts in and it resulted in a questionable cost of $309,180. That's from the city of Lodi Schedule of findings and Questioned costs, year ended June30,2005, pages 127-134. Finding 05-01, 05-02, 05-03 and a total amount of $355,360. The contractor wasn't named. "

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TandC wrote on Sep 1, 2008 11:49 AM:

" dogs, I like this debate and I'm listening to you and am very interested in your viewpoint. But just ask these traffic co-ordinators if they're really getting prevailing wage? That's not the same wage a qualified journeyman that's gone through a five year apprenticeship program, whether it be union or not, is actually getting. It's still somewhat less because the labor board determines the wage and it's nowhere close to the real package earned by the union craftsmen. It's always quite a bit lower to give the non-union contractor a definite advantage when it comes to the bid process. These non-union contractors carry their reputation with them wherever they go and many are disqualified or laughed out of the bid process by their shoddy reputation or work, or both. Bids have a lot more to do with than just being the lowball. If you are caucasian you can turn the business over to your wife and, therefore, qualify for MINORITY work also and to do large projects, your bonding and insurance have to be a+ rated or you won't qualify. In Lodi, companies Like Diede and Case will get the work even if they aren't low bidder. "

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TandC wrote on Sep 1, 2008 11:39 AM:

" The non-union will always survive as long as there are those looking for work.There's nothing wrong with working non-union at all if your employer pays you what you're worth and takes good care of you. I've worked scab many times and loved it when they paid me under the table with personal checks, or, better yet, with cash. I can still go work any weekend I want, union or scab for cash under the table. Got a call from a union plumbing contractor two weeks ago to go back to work and the offer still stands. I still go to Oakland with my friend Bruce and do volunteer mechanical work on the USS Hornet aircraft carrier every other month or so.
Our union is on a large organizing campaign in California, Nevada and the western states and will be recruiting and handbilling all non-union companies and employees about the benefits of becoming a union member and reaping the profits. They'll also be making these non-signatory contractors aware that they are also obligated to treat their employees fairly and have an obligation to their general contractors to provide qualified men and pay them the prevailing wage on public works projects. "

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dogs4you wrote on Sep 1, 2008 11:28 AM:

" T&C I`ll tell you whats killing this state, among other things it`s prevailing wage. When I see a person holding a stop sign, he / she is making prevailing wage paid by the state of course. Want to save some money, for all that skill, minumn wage would be just fine. Not that many union shops around since the contractor or developer can`t afford their high prices. Deide did a wonderful job, though non-union, you make is sound like Deide doesn`t have trained personal that can`t read a blue print and get the job done, they did. Here`s something for you to think about and come up with T&C, other than that liberal city, SF can you name more that 1-2 union shops in the San Joaquin valley? Most likely not other that the UFW`ers union which is a total joke. "

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TandC wrote on Sep 1, 2008 11:27 AM:

" Skilled union labor and craftsmen will never disappear as long as there are hospitals, power plants, co-generation plants, massive complexes, prisons, high rises and the hard working union men and women that construct these gigantic projects.
Why do you think the economy and wage levels have sunk so low in this country,except for the unions? Because the greedy corporations took those decent paying jobs to India, Mexico and China, to name a few.
You think the unions have lost their power. A sister local in Seattle just settled a five-year contract after a two week strike. $4.00 the first year, $4.50 the second and $4.75 the third with the last two years open according to the economy. And there are also benefit increases in pension, burial benefit, medical, whic includes medical, dental, eyecare and hearing with a complete asbestosis screening every ten years.
It was so much a kick in the butt on those 2-gate open jobs to show the non-union laborers our checkstubs and three times the amount of gross more than theirs. We always were able to recruit new trainees and apprentices on these jobsites mostly because of the healthcare plan alone. "

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dogs4you wrote on Sep 1, 2008 11:13 AM:

" t jefferson got it right, the unions are killing this state. Non union has to follow the same rules and specficatons as any union. Think for a minute, it was the labor unions that had the auto industry in Detroit by the balls, they preached to the manufactures, it was their way or no way. Talk a look at where all the cars in this country are made now, and I`m talking about the high end cars, there made about as far away from Detroit as they can be. While Detroit is laying off people, Toyota is building another plant, evidently Toyota treats it`s workers fair enough that the union isn`t needed. Oh btw T&C, Diede just finished that sugar plant on Hwy.12, it`s up and running without the help of union and finished on time and budget. I was a union member for 33 years and got squat when I retired, and for all the money they took, I get $2,500 death benfit. Big F---`en deal. "

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TandC wrote on Sep 1, 2008 11:09 AM:

" tjefferson, the real myth is when you call for a skilled craftsmen to do a job you pay a contracted price just like you do the independant laborer. Your union trained craftsmen have gone through a 5 year apprenticeship program and almost every union project has either come in on time or early.
Ask any of these laborers here in town on these non-union jobs and see if they can even spell apprenticeship. They're just laborers used by the owner of non-union companies that have a contractors' license themselves for cheap labor. Ask your non-union contractors why they refuse to participate in the state and union sponsored apprenticeship programs? Cheap labor, of course. There iscurrently one non-union good o;' boy contractor here on Frontage Road that's still being handbilled by the union carpenter for labor and wage issues and will try to get some arbitration to get the employees that were cheated out of wages on prevailing wage jobs.
So what you're saying is that when you need some plumbing done you call the rotor rooter guy? I guess you' figure he'd probably be able to do electrical work, too. "

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t jefferson wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:10 AM:

" Union labor, are you kidding me. Twice the cost for half the production. The days of "skilled" union labor are done and gone, only supported by the davis bacon act. Unions are killing this state. Why do you think it cost 2 to 3 times what is should to build a School. Those don't seem to be any higher quality than other commercial builidings. Just a big myth perpetrated by those that are really unskilled and need to hide behind a third party organization. "

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TandC wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:29 PM:

" commonsense1, do you invest in companies like Diede construction or FCB? If you do then you'd know what I'm referring to. "

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TandC wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:27 PM:

" commonsense1, I admire Alex J. Spanos. He doesn't have to use trickery nor hisgood ol' boy system to get the job done right from start to finish without corruption, tomfoolery nor does he put up with scabby work like you and your local developers and builders do. "

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commonsense1 wrote on Aug 31, 2008 5:46 PM:

" T&C....You can't be simple-minded enough to think having the same food supplier will determine the quality of the finished product you consumne. Sorry, that was a stupid question, obviously you are. Naturally, you use that same simple-minded logic when you compare non-union and union workers. What idiot wouldn't change a business plan that was a better fit for the economy, the city and its citizens? What part of the plan is wrong? It is the retail or adult living component? One more time, name a Lodi developer or financially successful business person you admire. Success not your friend? "

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TandC wrote on Aug 31, 2008 4:12 PM:

" Passing by the BC/BS jobsite today and seeing that this project is a two-gate system, with one for the non-union scabs and one for the union employees (licensed craftsmen) and those representing organized labor. Are these contractors so hard up for profits that they would actually unskilled craftsmen to erect and build this important building? Is Lodi and its little development community so cheap that they would even trust some of these scabby unskilled laborers that only call themselves skilled, but have no apprenticeship training nor drug testing programs initiated, allowed to build this small but significant building? I thought BC/BS was a class act and would insist on skilled, trained craftsmen and not just laborers to install the plumbing, HVAC, fire protection, electrical, drywall, framing, etc? Are these the same laborers that'll be building those businesses, many who don't even have, or are offered a free health care plan by their employers, as the union members and skilled, qualified craftsmen do? Why would you non-union employees settle for working for half the wages your comparative union members are paid? Did you stop to think that your employers are putting those wages in their own pockets? Greed dominates! "

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OTH wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:41 PM:

" dogs4you In reply to your post 5:p.m Aug 30

It's my understand that back when they were having all the problems with people being killed by trains or driving around the gates or walking across the tracks that (somebody?)decreed that the trains had to blow their whistle so many feet from each crossing. I'm sorry I can't remember what agency it was. I live 4 blocks from the tracks and to tell the truth the only time I hear them is if I'm up real late at night and it's quiet. I know I have counted as many as 11 trains from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. all blowing their horn. "

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TandC wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:21 PM:

" And, commonsense!, you should either attend or view the CC meetings on comcast to see how your council operates and how slippery three or four of them really are. Most important issues turn out to be personal battles amongst certain members of the CC rather than what's really best for Lodi. That $250,000,000 debt should be an indication that it's time for a change. Start in November by NOT voting for Bob Johnson. Mark my words.
And, common1, all of the most recent meetings are on the archives at Lodi's website. I suggest you watch them before always trying to chastise me. "

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TandC wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:17 PM:

" Amen, dogs4, Chili's, Appleby's and the Mazatlan, and Pietro's for Italian and pizza.
The fine dining restaurants are too pricey for their meals. I cringe when I see the same Port Stockton and Sysco food service trucks make their deliveries at these fancy places and then deliver the same products to family and fast food restaurants. Sysco has a food fair every year for their customers and if you only knew that the nice places buy the same frozen and cook and heat appetizers and entrees that the little places purchase, you'd find the same meal half as cheap elsewhere.
I don't know how Gillespie figures that retail is going to be any better than housing with the economy in the sewer and wages dropping for the middle class and they are saving and not spending on anything right now but necessities. "

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TandC wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:09 PM:

" commonsense1,I approve of any project that was approved in its original documentation.Do you think they's let anyone else come in and start DEMANDING that they change it to suit themselves just because they GAMBLED, made tons of money on the housing boom, and now that it's in the sewer, they want to just change it to what they would like and not to what was approved.
The city council constantly does this with these developments. They already allowed Gillespie to drastically change the housing densities from the original submitted documents and now he doesn't want that to be honored, but more retail.
I'm still waiting for HIM TO PURCHASE that 200 acres, not borrow it from a friend.A deal is a deal and the council better hold him to it.
That's the reason I'm asking all to vote for Mounce and Khan and to get the well connected ex-realtor? Bob Johnson voted back to retirement.And representative Hansen to follow next term. It's rather obvious who they support just by watching the CCmeetings and checking their voting record.
Commonsense1, do you think it's fair or ethical to change the rules foryour own profit? "

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dogs4you wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:34 PM:

" commonsence 1 does Sun West sound fimilar, why would I move to Reynolds Ranch? "

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dogs4you wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:32 PM:

" commonsence 1 I like where I live, nice and quite and no damn trains, as far as shopping goes, I`ll wait for the super wal-mart to be built. As far as retail is concerned, from the map of the area, my backyard is bigger. And what do you consider retail a mom and pop 5 and dime? or a burger place. And what kind of hotel are we talking a motel 6. You will never see me in Reynolds Ranch, nothing there interests me. The best food in town along with the best and coldest beer, treat yourself to Chili`s in Vintners Square. "

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TandC wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:16 PM:

" Watching the channel 3 news tonight and more retail may be the only answer to our financial problems. Our lawmakers were highly recommending that government agencies here in California avoid using redevelopment as all it is is borrowing more money and achieves nothing but more debt on a long term basis. How much more debt can the city of Lodi afford to incur more than the $250,000,000 they're currently in debt without filing bankruptcy like Vallejo? Manager King has brought us the same style government practiced in Vallejo and that scares the hell out of me. "

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commonsense1 wrote on Aug 30, 2008 5:55 PM:

" dogs4u..Just an idea, don't retire or shop at Reynolds Ranch if that bothers you. "

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commonsense1 wrote on Aug 30, 2008 5:51 PM:

" T&C...What specific components of the Reynolds Ranch Project do you feel will be bad for Lodi? Is there a current project or future project that you approve of? If so, who are the people developing the project? For that matter, are there any financially successful people in this town that you approve of? If so, how did they earn their wealth? "

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dogs4you wrote on Aug 30, 2008 5:38 PM:

" OK Zin maybe not every 30 minutes or so, but what difference does that make. The engineer gets on that horn 500 ft. or so before crossing Harney Ln. and keeps up a study blast untill he crosses Harney. A few years a dentist complained that the trains disturbed his sleep. That tressel has been in the Lodi area for around 100 years and he was laughed out of town for coming up with such a stupid request that the crossing arms and bells, along with the whistle not be blowen at "his" crossing. Buyer be wear. Hope your friends enjoy their trains. "

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dogs4you wrote on Aug 30, 2008 3:17 PM:

" T&C thats part of the problem in this country now, mortage companies sighing up people making $12 an hour, telling them that they could afford a $400.000 house. With 0 down, and interest only payments. Then the roof caved in and that why there are so many houses sitting empty these days. Hope the soup is still hot as you have let your fingers do the talkng for you all day long, so have I, but then I`m younger. "

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Zinfandel wrote on Aug 30, 2008 3:02 PM:

" TandC, you are assuming that all employees at BS are single........I would assume that approximately half are married. So that would probably mean a two income family. "

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TandC wrote on Aug 30, 2008 2:49 PM:

" Don't forget Zin and dogs4, when Gillespie cried at the podium to get this approved for so much housing that he reasoned with the "high-paying" jobs at BC/BS all the employees there would be tripping over one another to buy one of the cookie-cutters, which probably would have sold for $400,000 at that time. At $12 an hour, Johnson, Beckman and Hansen fell for it, hook, line and sinker! What fools they thought us to be. "

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dogs4you wrote on Aug 30, 2008 2:27 PM:

" Whoa Nellie; seems your the one that came up thinking that was an ethnic remark. What were you thinking. No matter what, all fish swim up stream. The rich, the poor, black and brown and rainbow trout to reach their final destination. "

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Whoa Nellie! wrote on Aug 30, 2008 2:16 PM:

" Dog-- is that an ethnic comment? "Swimmers going upstream"?? Blahahaha! "

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dogs4you wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:27 PM:

" Whoa Nellie: granted $12 bucks an hour will not get you in a big and expensive house, however to make it these days both perents have to work. But it`s allot better to have that extra money coming in on a weekly or monthy basis to help pay for food, utiities. As far as kids are concerned, without high paying jobs, perhaps people and 2-3-4 kids should live within there means and limit those up stream swimmers. "

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Whoa Nellie! wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:12 PM:

" Please, guys, $12.00 an hour is nothing.

That is only $24,960 per year BEFORE taxes.

While these are needed jobs for someone who might be "down" at the moment it is no way enought money to attempt to live the "American Dream."

In todays paper a 2bed/1ba home in the EAST 400 blocks of Elm and Eden rents for $900 per month and $900 security deposit. That's brutal. My mortgage payment is only $1200 for my 2000sqft home in a nice "older" section of town.

That's got to be such a huge percentage of a $12hr wage earner, how does a family of 2-3-4 afford to eat,cloth, etc? "

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Whoa Nellie! wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:58 PM:

" T&C, you are right! The Hispanic and Paki communities do deserve a shopping center of some sort. Groupings of businesses usually is a plus for all.

But know way will Dale or any "player" go for such a project. You need an ethnic business person to do the project for it to be really successful.

Major developers want national anchor tenants. What you describe is more of a bunch of independent local businesses. Last time I looked I have not seen too many national, or even SW regional, chain stores geared for Hispanics or Paki's.

Perhaps you should take this opportunity to develop your own strip mall for this market segment?

Of course this type of development will not create many jobs at all since these business are heavily family oriented. "

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Zinfandel wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:53 PM:

" dogs4you wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:59 AM:

" Hey Zin I agree, $12 bucks an hour is better than nothing, especially for a person that hasn`t had a job for months. The self esteem of having a job can do wonders and help a person get back on his feet. We all can`t be rich like T&C. It will be hot today Zin, so I hope you enjoy a soft drink. "

In this day and age, $12 bucks an hour sounds pretty darn good to a lot of people.
Yes, it will be a hot one today. Thanks for the idea, but, I personally prefer water. I have a big bottle of water next to me. "

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Zinfandel wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:49 PM:

" dogs4you wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:51 AM:

" In case anyone hasn`t noticed, the residential and senior housing area located in Reynolds Ranch sits right on top of the Burlington-Northern Rail Road tracks. With trains coming through every 30 minutes of so.

I have to disagree with you. My friend lives along that line and I spend a great deal of time out in that area. Yes there are trains passing through, but, not every thirty minutes or so like you stated. "

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dogs4you wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:59 AM:

" Hey Zin I agree, $12 bucks an hour is better than nothing, especially for a person that hasn`t had a job for months. The self esteem of having a job can do wonders and help a person get back on his feet. We all can`t be rich like T&C. It will be hot today Zin, so I hope you enjoy a soft drink. "

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dogs4you wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:51 AM:

" In case anyone hasn`t noticed, the residential and senior housing area located in Reynolds Ranch sits right on top of the Burlington-Northern Rail Road tracks. With trains coming through every 30 minutes of so, you had better love trains, one nice thing as far as seniors are concerned that wear a hearing aid, they can turn it off and enjoy a good nights sleep. Not that it will make that much of a difference, however Blue Shield is the greatest distance from the ringing of the bells and horns of the trains as they comes through. The prespective buyers had better love trains at 3 am. "

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ZInfandel wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:22 AM:

" $12 an hour jobs are nothing to stick you nose in the air about. With senior housing making up the majority of the rest of the development, many seniors will be able to supplement their income with those jobs. There is nothing wrong with honest work. "

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sam wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:20 AM:

" wtf, I agree. I too remember when the real T&C posted that once the project was approved there would be major changes made.

I have wondered seriously why he gets banned from the blogs. Is it because his "insane" rants are true?

TandC, I for one appreciate your blogs. Please keep them coming. They may be way out there to some, but it is our job to weed through them and find the truth. Thank you. "

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ZInfandel wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:19 AM:

" TandC wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:38 AM:

Or will this RR now commercial project just cater to the rich and famous and their families with those $12 an hour jobs at BC/BS? "


I certainly would think that they will have a mix of stores that will serve all of our community not just the "rich and famous".
Their location couldn't be better...with highway 99 to the east, Harney Lane to the north and West Lane not far to the west. "

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wtf wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:07 AM:

" TandC wrote: "I maintained long ago this RR project was just a scam to get that land annexed and then the use would be changed to whatever Gillespie could pay to have changed."

I remember when you posted this and it seems you were right on the money. With the increase in traffic, a new EIR should be mandatory. "

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TandC wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:38 AM:

" I would certainly expect stores and shops that will cater to all income levels. When the project is finished, Lodi transit will surely have bus routes every 30 minutes or so. It will also draw many eastside residents that will be looking for somewhere closer to shop than the strip malls at Lower Sac and Kettleman. I'd suspect there will be a shiny new Dollar store, and then duplicate franchises that are already in Lodi at the other strip malls. UPS and FeDeX are great standbys and there will have to be some kind of facilities for pandering to the Latino and Pakistani communities.
Or will this RR now commercial project just cater to the rich and famous and their families with those $12 an hour jobs at BC/BS? "

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lodisafeway wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:00 AM:

" The only idea set forth in the letter that I find a tad off-base is that "Shopping-Starved Galt" will do their shopping here instead of Elk Grove, less miles to their north. It would make more sense to me that they would want to conserve on fuel and time by remaining within their own general vicinity.

Also curiously missing from the discussion here are the specific "anchor stores" slated for construction in Reynolds Ranch. While we're well aware of a new Wal-Mart on the west side of town, exactly what are we to expect in the other shopping complex? If the stores were mentioned in previous articles I am afraid that I missed them. "

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T & C wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:56 AM:

" TandC:? Since when do we really buy into your GOB theory? There will always be people influencing business and growth. It is human nature, "No conspiracy", just the way it is! Look at "GOBS" as if they were a "BLACKBERRY thorn in the palm of your hand!" "Run for city council and try to change things to where you are NOT so unhappy, or quit complaining about what "GOBS" may or may not be doing! "

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T & C wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:53 AM:

" Contrary to what some "GOB" haters think, America needs a heavy dose of "Growth," done responsibly to stabilize employment! "

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Brian wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:05 AM:

" I meant SE :) "

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Brian wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:04 AM:

" Lodi's done a pretty good job at planning out their retail expansion.
Except for the white elephant that sits on the NE corner of Ham and Kettleman.
That stupid outside escalator eventually got stopped. "

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TandC wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:20 AM:

" Observer, if this budget doesn't pass soon, Lodi, and every city in California will soon be getting IOU's and there won't be any cash flow at all. We'll have to dig into our general fund just to survive. If it lasts another 30 days, there will be massive layoffs and some city services won't evev be able to function. We haven't seen any hard times yet, with city council and management still spending like F&M bank is printing new money for them everyday. "

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TandC wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:16 AM:

" Since when does Dale Gillespie and his myriad of different corporate names dictate to manager King, the planning commission, city council and us Lodi citizens and taxpayers what it is HE wants and not what the citizenry of Lodi want? I thought he wanted that retail development out there on Victor road, by the Delta College campus? Now it's at Reynolds Ranch. I maintained long ago this RR project was just a scam to get that land annexed and then the use would be changed to whatever Gillespie could pay to have changed. So why is this project going to be revised to something completely different? If that's the case, the project should be red-tagged today and construction stopped until a new EIR is drawn up and completed and the road work is completed to handle the hordes of traffic and pollution. "

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Observer wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:49 AM:

" What do the City and the Democrats have in common? Both should be winners but some how they'll screw it up. The City has the opportunity to provide retail services that citizens overwhelming desire and are currently going out of town for already. However, the City will make it so difficult to do business in this community that they will ultimately go away. Our retail sales tax revenue will continue to decrease even more that the $800,000 it already has. Now if we can get a little more creative, maybe we can run the car dealers out of town as well. Then we can have no sales tax revenues at all. "

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