What Is "Big Box" Retail? According to 1000 Friends Of Wisconsin and the Land Use Institute, "Big Box" retailers are usually located on the edge of town with these defining characteristics: Generally have 90,000 - 200,000 or more square feet. Are located near interstate/highway exits. Use the same store design - single floor, warehouse-style with no windows. Not located in pedestrian or bicycle-friendly areas. Designed with massive parking lots. In addition, the parking lots around "Big Box" retailers have an environmental impact from pollutants such as oil, radiator coolant and gasoline that trickles into streams, wetlands and lakes. 1000 Friends Of Wisconsin also states: "Big Box" retailers are "not economically tied to the community. They chase demographics and do not hesitate to close one store in favor of a better location even if it is only a few miles away." The average "Big Box" retailer only stays in a location for 10-20 years. Learn more about how "Big Box" retailers will change the face of Sun Prairie at: http://www.1kfriends.org/smartgrowth/ToolKit_bigbox.shtml The Hidden Costs of Big Box Retail Traffic congestion – cars and delivery trucks Loss of trees, open space, farm land Displaced small businesses Job substitution with low-paying jobs Air and water pollution Dying downtowns and vacant buildings Degraded sense of community Source: Big Box Sprawl & How to Control It, Constance Beaumont, National Trust for Historic Preservation.< Home | Information | Current Status | Contact Information Copyright © 2002 - Neighbors for Responsible Growth