Previous News

Two Petitions Still Compete for Signatures (Jun. 22)
Taubman Launches Second Referendum Attack (Jun. 17)
Follow-up Information on the Pro-Broadway Plaza Initiative (Jun. 14)
Citizens' Initiative Filed to Support Neiman Marcus Project (Jun. 9)

Two Petitions Still Compete for Signatures (Jun. 22)

Two competing petitions continue to be circulated in Walnut Creek.

Pro-Broadway Plaza Initiative
The pro-Broadway Plaza petition would place an initiative on the ballot to AFFIRM the decisions made by the City Council for a new Neiman Marcus at Broadway Plaza.

Pro-Broadway Plaza Petition Crew

The pro-Broadway Plaza initiative is a counter-attack to the bullying tactics of mall-rival Taubman Company, whichhas launched two referenda efforts against the City and the Neiman Marcus project in the last four weeks.

The pro-Broadway Plaza Initiative petition is blue. Other clues:

• The word Initiative is at the top (Taubman petitions say Referendum)
• Legal-sized sheets (not standard letter-sized)
• Spiral bound in a booklet
• Only 6 signatures per sheet

Some 65 community members are carrying the pro-Broadway Plaza petitions as well as the petition carriers in yellow YES t-shirts.

Taubman's Anti-Broadway Plaza Referendum -- Round 2
The opponents of Neiman Marcus, bankrolled by mall-rival Taubman Company, also continue to circulate their second anti-Broadway Plaza referendum. Taubman owns Sunvalley Mall in Concord and is reportedly involved in the new upscale mall planned for San Ramon.

Why two referenda petitions from Taubman? Wouldn't one be enough? This double-referenda tactic is not new for Taubman when it seeks to bully a city and undermine city processes. As reported previously by the Contra Costa Times, the city of West Hartford, Conn. suffered the same fate a few years ago -- two referenda along with 14 frivolous lawsuits by Taubman. Ultimately, the citizens of West Hartford prevailed against Taubman, defeating both referenda and getting all lawsuits dismissed -- but not without a strong fight by the local residents.

Taubman Launches Second Referendum Attack (Jun. 17)
Pro-Broadway Plaza Initiative Effort Continues

The opponents of Neiman Marcus, bankrolled by mall-rival Taubman Company, have launched a second anti-Broadway Plaza signature-gathering drive. If Taubman is successful, the City could be forced to hold two separate elections on the Neiman Marcus issue.

Why two referenda petitions from Taubman? Wouldn't one be enough? This double-referenda tactic is not new for Taubman when it seeks to bully a city and undermine city processes. As reported previously by the Contra Costa Times, the city of West Hartford, Conn. suffered the same fate a few years ago -- two referenda along with 14 frivolous lawsuits by Taubman. The citizens of West Hartford defeated both referenda and all lawsuits were dismissed -- but not without considerable chaos, cost and delay to that community.

Meanwhile, the petitions for the pro-Broadway Plaza initiative continue to be circulated in the community.

Which Petition Should I Sign: Blue, Green, or White?

Here are the clues for the pro-Broadway Plaza petition (see photo):

• The word Initiative is at the top (Taubman petitions say Referendum)
• Legal-sized sheets (not standard letter-sized)
• Blue paper
• Spiral bound in a booklet
• Only 6 signatures per sheet

Pro-Broadway Plaza petition carriers have yellow YES Support Neiman Marcus tee-shirts. However, Taubman folks have been seen in yellow shirts as well, so be careful!

Follow-up Information on the Pro-Broadway Plaza Initiative (Jun. 14)

Q:  Why has this initiative been proposed?
 
A:   This pro-Broadway Plaza initiative was filed by local residents because it became very clear that no matter what Broadway Plaza did to improve the Neiman Marcus project, the Taubman Group is going to oppose it with multiple referenda and legal actions. Just as Taubman is finishing its first signature-gathering effort (begun Sat., May 23), Taubman is likely to launch another signature-gathering effort within the next few days in response to the June 2nd actions of Council related to the project.  By extending the time line, this would result in TWO separate referenda and TWO separate elections -- and double the election costs.
 
Q:   Isn't the point to avoid the cost and aggravation of a special election?
 
A:   Yes, avoiding the both the dollar and volunteer cost of an election on this issue would be ideal. However, based on everything we know about Taubman and its tactics, this just doesn't seem possible -- and it seems even probable that we would be forced to have two elections. However, if the pro-Broadway Plaza initiative can be qualified for the ballot, the voters have a chance to limit the number of elections on the Neiman Marcus issue to just one.
 
Q:  This is confusing.  What is this about again?
 
A:  The Taubman Company, the owners of Sunvalley Mall and reported partners in the new upscale mall in San Ramon, are trying to kill off Walnut Creek's dominance as the regional shopping destination.  If they can create an alternative to Walnut Creek in San Ramon, all of Walnut Creek's businesses will suffer. What does that mean? Loss of jobs, loss of local businesses, and loss of the sales tax revenues that fund one-third of the City's budget. All of our city services are dependent on sales tax dollars -- police, parks, programs for children and seniors, arts programs -- and these dollars would be diverted to another community. 
 
This is how Taubman operates.  If they can, they will tie this up for years. 
  
Q:    How can I help?
 
A:    If the quality of life we enjoy is important to you, find a "YES for Neiman Marcus petition" and sign it. And, if you have time, volunteer to gather signatures from your friends, family and neighbors. Broadway Plaza and Neiman Marcus have tremendous community support. If 250 community members each collected 20 signatures, this would qualify for the ballot and show Taubman just how much we hate what they are trying to do.
 
You can get more information about the Neiman Marcus project, sign a "YES for Neiman Marcus" petition, or volunteer at the former location of David M. Brian at Broadway Plaza. The information will be available all day, every day.
 
For more information, call 925-939-7601.

Citizens' Initiative Filed to Support Neiman Marcus Project (Jun. 9)
Initiative Seeks Voter Approval, Counters Taubman Challenges

In a surprise move, three Walnut Creek community leaders -- former Mayor Gwen Regalia, Rossmoor leader David Smith, and long-time community volunteer Carole Wynstra -- have filed a citizens' initiative to seek voter approval of the new Neiman Marcus at Broadway Plaza.

The citizens' initiative was prompted by the continuing efforts of the Taubman Realty Group to derail the Neiman Marcus project. In recent weeks, Taubman-backed petition carriers have been seeking voter signatures to force a ballot referendum on the project -- just like they did last October. Taubman may also be bankrolling the lawsuit filed by a few local residents over the project. Taubman is the owner of Sunvalley Mall in Concord and reportedly has interests in an upscale mall planned for San Ramon.

"Taubman has no interest in Walnut Creek other than to attack Walnut Creek's position as the region's retail leader," Carole Wynstra said.

According to a Macerich press release, this citizens' initiative is the cleanest, simplest and quickest way to shortcut Taubman's tactics and to ask voters for a final "up-down" vote on the future of Broadway Plaza and the vitality of downtown retail in Walnut Creek -- without the interference of outside interests. The initiative will be funded, at least in part, by Macerich Northwestern Associates, which has owned Broadway Plaza for nearly 25 years. The pro-Broadway Plaza group may begin gathering signatures as soon as this weekend.
 
"A key purpose of this initiative is to preserve the retail vitality of Walnut Creek, protect the economic benefits to the community that come from the city's strong retail core and make sure decisions about Walnut Creek's future are made by Walnut Creek residents," Wynstra said. The new store is expected to generate $400,000 annually in new sales tax dollars to support Walnut Creek city services.
 
"While we do not believe that Walnut Creek's planning should be determined by ballot box initiatives, in this case the community is left with no choice," said Brad Kofoed, chair of Yes for Walnut Creek.  "The Taubman company - which has no business interests in Walnut Creek - has come into our town to undo a thoughtful community-based process that involved more than 1,000 community members, our Planning Commission and our City Council.  Taubman and other outside interests are trying to undo our community's decision. The pro-Broadway Plaza initiative will allow Walnut Creek citizens to take back the planning process and to reaffirm the decisions that had previously been made in the best interests of Walnut Creek by our City Council."
 
Broadway Plaza will kick off its initiative efforts with a rally for supporters and volunteers this Saturday, Jun. 13 at 10 a.m. in the old David M. Brian store. Mark your calendars to get involved. To volunteer or for more information, call 925-939-7601.