The Grand Canyon Is Getting A Mall

[brooklynite]

Source: The Daily Beast

If a collective of big money investment interests have their way, the 5 million people who flock to the Grand Canyon’ breathtaking vistas every year will also soon be able to get in some shopping and catch a film on an IMAX theatre built right on top of the canyon’s rim.

These investors have partnered with a faction of the native Navajo tribe’s leadership with promises of new jobs and gobs of money in exchange for—what else?—the land to build on. They want to construct a retail complex based around a tram that planners are calling the Escalade, which will stretch from the rim down to the floor, providing easy access to both a fragile ecosystem and sacred place to Native Americans.

Located on 420 acres of remote land that peers down upon the confluence–hence the name–of the Little Colorado and Colorado rivers, the project is expected to cost as much as a billion dollars. Among the retail shops, restaurants, and hotels on the upper rim, there would be the same below on the valley floor, along with stadium seating to take in the views, a museum, visitors center, and elevated river walk.

...snip...

The group behind this project operates under the name Confluence Partners, LLC, and includes a variety of well-connected business and political types, as well as members of the Navajo tribe.

Read more: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/04/18/the-grand-canyon-is-getting-a-mall.html?via=newsletter&source=DDMorning

[seveneyes]

1. If there is anything more than a footprintless footpath to the canyon

You may as well have an Imax and a Mall there too.

[wordpix]

6. WTF? footprints on a trail are as bad as a mall?

Environmentally and culturally speaking you're way off your comparables.

[seveneyes]

13. In a world of absolutes, the details are moot

For every electronic revival you will have an Electronical Rival ...

[wordpix]

75. I'll take footprints over a mall any day

[seveneyes]

79. Modesty is the hardest to hide

[Drale]

33. They have an Imax at the visitor center

that shows the film about the canyon.

[seveneyes]

35. I can imagine

It's safer than falling headfirst on a set of wings that Icarus himself would not fly upon.

[Pharaoh]

2. Capitalism at its best!

How sick and disgusting! Its malls and shit one wants to get away from by going out in nature.

More and more I think of leaving this insane country.

[chapdrum]

14. Pharoah, you're heard

Am (half-jest) preparing petitions for asylum.
Imo, the rot was planted by St. Ronnie, and has been supplemented ever since (and many Democrats glad to help).
But yes, "insane" is a fair description.

[yeoman6987]

17. And you don't think other countries do similar?

I have been to 50 countries and there are American companies around important historical landmarks everywhere. Nothing like seeing the Great Wall with a Nike store right there. Or the Eifle Tower with a chance to grab a Starbucks while getting ready to climb. Or the red square with a Louis Vettan store on the corner close to Lenin's tomb. Don't think leaving the United States will immune you from destruction of ancient artifacts.

[snort]

19. We built the Great Wall

and the Eifle Tower, not the Grand Canyon.

[yeoman6987]

20. Ok. That's fair.

[snort]

21. I am a native Arizonan.

I have spent many years enjoying the hiking and exploring that is available here in Northern AZ. I have never felt the need to hit a mall while I was at it. I can understand how urbanites from New Jersey or Tokyo might feel more right at home if its paved over with a Hardees or two for luck but really the whole point of a national park is to just leave it the fuck alone.

[wordpix]

76. bravo, I agree

[hollysmom]

90. hey, NJ here, and I have not set foot in a mall for decades -

they make me physcally ill. I think they put something into the air, I go to small stores instead.

[kwassa]

66. I thought we did build the Grand Canyon.

from the book "Great Moments in Architecture".

Here is proof.

[jberryhill]

85. A KFC at the Great Wall was a mind blower for me

[swilton]

30. Couldn't have said it any better

in shorthand

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

32. Here! Here!...

... nothing is sacred in this country anymore. Laugh all you want, but if I were able, I would take Sweden and ABBA.

[wordpix]

3. water issues are the way to stop this

The GC being in desert Arizona, there could very well be water issues. Certainly the Navahos have and should have water rights, but not for a mall with shops and all the baloney being planned. That has nothing to do with Navaho tradition or culture, but with American capitalist/corporatist culture.

[mimi85]

16. Ok, I know this is nit-picky, however

it's not "Navaho" even though it's pronounced like that, it's Navajo. Living in California gets you up on Spanish pronunciations real fast. I remember when I was talking to someone from back east and they literally said "La Jolla" (like in jolly) instead of La Holla - the correct way to say it.

You have a very good point though. Yep, anything for a buck. It's disgusting.

[bananas]

23. lah haw yuh, not lah holl uh

[cosmicone]

39. It is "la hoya" not "la holla" n/t

[bluedigger]

41. Really nit picky considering it's the Spanish name for a Native American group.

They call themselves Diné.

[Tanuki]

60. +10000 Thank you! n/t

[wordpix]

77. I stand corrected but it was late at night & yes, you've nit-picked

[MBS]

4. SIGN THIS PETITION

Sign this petition . . and spread the word!
http://grandcanyontrust.nonprofitsoapbox.com/escalade

If you are Native American (especially Navajo) , there is a second petition as well.


More info at http://www.grandcanyontrust.org/stopping-grand-canyon-escalade

[PasadenaTrudy]

15. Signed and passed on n/t

[MBS]

38. Thanks!! n/t

[Judi Lynn]

49. Thank you, MBS. n/t

[burrowowl]

50. Signed!

[colsohlibgal]

5. This Seems So Wrong

Sullying one of our natural wonders to make profit, that's about where we are now and it's distressing.

[The2ndWheel]

7. Is that a new thing?

That's pretty much how you build an economy.

[wordpix]

11. you also build an economy on tourism & if you wreck what people come for

you will destroy that economy. Since the GC draws millions of people each year, that is a huge tourist industry. People come and stay nearby, contribute to the Park Service coffers, eat in nearby restaurants, etc.

[yeoman6987]

18. It's 5 miles away from the actual Grand Canyon

It's not like they are building it on the crest of something.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

34. Don't you bring facts into this!

The mob has spoken!

Naturally those opposed to this have no doubt shared a lengthy list of alternate economic development proposals for the Indian communities out there.

In any event, the Hualapai have already built not one, but two airports out there. Tourism is there only real path to economic development.

[wordpix]

80. well the alleged "5 mi. away" is not a fact in that article

so go get me a link, developers.

[wordpix]

78. That was not in the article and even if it was

I'm still against it.

[asiliveandbreathe]

8. This is not why people tour the grand canyon -

There are plenty of hotels and even an IMAX outside of the gate at the south rim...this is preposterous...

For the Navaho Nation to be willing to come to the table - it should be for no other reason than a resounding NO.....

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

37. I love it when white people try to tell the indigenous populations of the world

That they should endure economic hardship so that they can maintain their status as a curiosity to be gawked at.

The Navajo's unemployment and poverty rates are both in the low 40's. How dare they seek opportunities for economic development.

[asiliveandbreathe]

62. The Navajo Nation knows very well

the forked tongue of the white man - they know very well the hardships their people endure - they also keep sacred what little they have left - and the Grand Canyon - is not for sale - btw - the Apache Nation will fight the take over of their sacred land to Resolute copper mining...oh, McCain panties in a bunch land swap - the fight has just begun....

Stay active my friend...read the Navajo Nation News once in a while.....talk to leaders of the American Indian Nations...attend their pow wows and learn - go to the four corners and speak with the Native Americans there..they are very willing to demonstrate their fierce protection of sacred land...YOU know not of what you speak....

O' great spirit..grant that I may not criticize my neighbor until I have walked a mile in his moccasin...

This Mall to them is like the KeystoneXL - private profit, public debt....

Mall at the grand canyon rim - NO and hell no!

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

64. I have worked with a lot of American Indian Bands and Canadian First Nations

I have encountered very few who were opposed to economic development and most excited and proud that their home had something that made people want to visit their community. Those who were opposed were usually evangelicals fearing the developments would bring sin into their midst.

[asiliveandbreathe]

70. Economic development - okay - just not a

mall ON the rim of the grand canyon - exited and proud about their Native American home..you bet! - The American Indian Nations are not greedy corporations...they know sacrifice...and they know this idea is NOT something - in the end, would benefit their people...private profit, public debt......

Canada - pipeline west through sacred land - NO, and HELL no - say the Canadian Native Nations..

Why not a mall on Mccains front lawn..."get off my lawn" McCain...

You say, "Those who were opposed were usually evangelicals fearing the developments would bring sin into their midst". This statement, sir or madam, I will have to research further.....

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

71. Why not? the Hualapai already built an airport there

And the Canadian First Nations have not said "No and Hell No", more than 60% have already signed on to Northern Gateway.

These are communities of people living in the 21st Century with 21st Century needs, they are also small governments responsible for delivering services to sparsely populated regions larger than some states. They can't do that trading animal pelts for rifles anymore. They need to develop their human, oil and gas and tourist resources.

What do you think of Indian bands hosting a Wal-Mart and levying a state equivalent sales-tax?

As for the evangelical issue, well yeah. I have seen it repeatedly and very recently. Christian fundamentalists who want their isolated community to stay that way. I had a surreal conversation with a little old lady a few years ago who's imagined version of California rivals anything Glenn Beck could come up with. I had to assure her I had never seen men having sex on a playground, bought crack from a vending machine or that public schools performed abortions in the nurse's office.

[asiliveandbreathe]

72. Lastly - water - water - water

As I read more - thank you for the challenge, you are very smart..I understand there is a proposal for 2200 homes - I have seen the gondola and movie theater complex plans - I have seen the area they want for the complex..at the point of confluence - ...the President election within the Nation is a mess..the Navajo Nation is so torn over this

Christian fundamentalists..well, my thoughts on that issue are too biased to comment...I would just as soon have them BE isolated..

I would not be one to fly in or around the Grand Canyon - adventurers..have at it...
too many have already died from helicopter crashes (one is too many)

The Grand Canyon is just that - GRAND -

I have heard all the arguments employment - education - take advantage of the revenues - we have had many casinos built over the years here in AZ - go ahead, drive through the reservation - you tell me of what benefit to the American Indian Nation...

Re: Canada - $2 million spent to fight off Keystone XL - Canada’s existing tar sands infrastructure is already at capacity, and the growing success of indigenous-led resistance makes the construction of mega-pipelines increasingly unlikely.

I am all for solar and wind - nuclear power - not so much - grew up around the Plymouth Mass complex..

I fear privatization of public utilities - education - I fear the fascist movement in our beautiful country..am I progressive in my thinking - yes, moving forward, YES - the decisions should be made that help the most people - not for private profit and public debt....

As I see it, the over-arching problem will be water...

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

73. The issue in Canada really isn't the pipelines

The issue is that the Canadian first nations and treaties are more or less stuck in the British colonial era rather than part of Canada's peculiar federalism. This absolutely archaic arrangement comes into conflict with their modern constitutional and legislated rights. You also have the issue of provinces not really having terribly constructive relationships with the reserves.

Because of this the regulatory processes surrounding large energy projects are really the only opportunity they have to get their grievances heard. A band council annoying the hell out of the INAC Indian Agent on whatever issue can just get lost in the federal bureaucracy. Using their traditional rights to interfere with billion dollar projects they can make unwitting accomplices of the energy industry who will apply pressure to see these issues resolved so they may proceed. Some of these issues are comically insignificant yet went unresolved in the Indian bureaucracy.

Back here in the USA, the Navajo Nation is aggressively tacking water issues. Both in water treatment of groundwater and achieving increased access to the San Juan River.

[Sunlei]

9. would be an epic disaster of heat deaths when power/air conditioning goes out

[Hoppy]

10. Actually, its a gread idea. Suppose you are at the edge of the canyon and it gets cold.

You can pop right in next door and get a new North Face jacket and the problem is solved.

I think there should also be a mall on top of Mt. Washington. Cold fronts hit there really fast sometimes and I could get a Starbucks hot chocolate, insulated ECCO boots and a Columbia jacket and I wouldn't have to go back to North Conway to do it. There is already a tram to the top of Mt. Washington so that part of the Grand Canyon plan is already in place.

The best part would be if the stadium seating part of the Grand Canyon plan were implanted on top of Mt. Washington, we could watch the sun set on Portland harbor, if there isn't air pollution that day.









Yes, Ralph, it is sarcasm.

[ripcord]

67. Makes sense

Last time I was at the Grand Canyon I was craving a Wetzel's Pretzel.

[CrispyQ]

12. "...providing easy access to both a fragile ecosystem..."

Everything for profit.

[Liberalagogo]

22. This sounds like something

you'd see on "The Simpsons".

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

24. Next, we'll find out that a conglomerate of the richest waste management companies in the country

have contracted to start using the Grand Canyon as a landfill to get rid of the country's ever-increasing mountains of trash.

[-none]

42. I think that idea has already been floated.

All the water will have been diverted to California, before it gets there anyway, so whats left to look at?

[Crowman1979]

25. In the age of online shopping, why do we need another mall?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

27. When Dominos can deliver a pizza by drone ...

... to the Cottonwood campsite ...
then I'll know that civilization has evolved.



Hey, and an ice-cold sixpack with that order, please!

[tularetom]

26. If we put a roof over the top of it we could turn the whole canyon into a mall

[MADem]

28. Don't the native peoples have dominion over their land? What little they've left, that is?

I don't know if the people of the government of USA have much to say about it. I hope the Navajo, if they do make this deal, are careful w/conservation-preservation issues, and they get the lion's share of the benefit.

[DFW]

29. So much for the Republicans being against obscenity

If this isn't the very definition of obscene, I don't know what is.

[former9thward]

44. The GC is a federal park.

Falls under the Department of Interior which reports to Obama.

[jberryhill]

54. Not all of it

The gorge in question, while quite scenic, is outside of the park.

[former9thward]

56. Then people should not be complaining about it.

It is Native American land. The poster I was replying to said it Republicans had something to do with it.

[jwirr]

31. Makes me wonder how many of the Navajo nation are really for this. Cannot believe it is a majority.

On the other hand - they are a poor nation so I can also see the need for development.

Our answer was a casino, a golf course and a hotel. And even after many years of operations some of the people are still angry because it does not fit traditional values.

What may be happening at the GC is that each Native family owns their own land and can sell it and a small group of them are the members of the tribe who are working with the Confluence partners, LLC. I cannot see the total leadership of the Tribe backing this.

[MBS]

45. there is divided opinion among the Navajo

and Pueblo and Hopi tribes are opposed. (So is the National Park Service and the Grand Canyon Trust and the Sierra Club for that matter)

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/critics-battle-plan-build-1bn-mall-grand-canyon-1497068:

The Navajo Nation, which owns the targeted land, supports the development, claiming that it will create jobs. It plans to invest $65m (£43.49m) into roadways, and water and communication facilities to back the project.
However, not all of the Navajo are on board.
"We are for economic development," Yellowhorse, a resident, told NBC. "Just not here at this place. It is my church. It's where I commune with the holy ones, the gods that walk along the canyon."

Save the Confluence is an organization founded by one chapter of the Navajo Nation:
http://savetheconfluence.com
http://www.grandcanyontrust.org/sites/default/files/gc_STC_Update._June_July2014.pdf
recent newscasts (NBC News and others): http://savetheconfluence.com/news/


Here's the petition for Navajos to sign: http://savetheconfluence.com/petitions/


Pueblo opposition:
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2014/09/all-pueblo-council-opposes-escalade.html

The Arizona Republic ran a 4-part series on the issue. .
Here's part 3 http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2014/09/04/grand-canyon-confluence-land-rights/12992581/

[jwirr]

48. Thank you. Was pretty sure that would be the situation.

[former9thward]

47. The Navajo own it as a tribe.

The leadership does back it. There is a dispute because the Hopi claims to also own the 1.6 million acre site.

http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/grand-canyon-development-plan-sparks-dispute-among-navajo-n302521

[wordpix]

82. perfect opportunity for natives to create a park they control

The area is large ---1.6 million acres. Right now natives are complaining about lack of control b/c people just cross their land and use it any way they want. If the Hopi and Navajo got together, they could have their own park service, police, guide services, and visitor center. Charge fees, charge for services, control the numbers of visitors on trails, control what's built and what's not, create sustainable businesses and job.

If they think corporate MallAmerica will give them control, they're way too naive.

[ProudProg2u]

36. Of course, next be will the Koch Bro's eyeing it as a "Land Fill".

[wordpix]

83. or the 'pukes will pass an act making it a nuke waste depository

since Yucca Mt. is off the table and repugs are dying to revive the nuke industry.

[cosmicone]

40. I look at this differently

As it is, only the most athletic or the wealthy can see the canyon floor and take in the views from below.

Having a funicular tram going down will open the canyon floor up to a lot of people.

Obviously, the developers are throwing out a wish list. Surely, a middle ground could be found that is best for the people, the natives, the investors and the environment.

We built roads to go there didn't we? They also damage the environment to some extent. This is just an extension of it that will benefit a lot of people.

Also, the more visitors come there, the more they get educated about why it needs to be preserved. They also have no quarrel about preserving it once they have seen it.

So perhaps a mall and riverwalk on canyon floor can be dropped in exchange for a mall away from the rim, a tram and a viewing area at the bottom.

[Fumesucker]

43. Interesting the difference in attitude between the Hawaiians stopping a non commercial telescope...

A non commercial telescope on Mauna Kea and the Navajo falling over themselves for commercial development in the Grand Canyon.

Why do I get the feeling if it was a mall going on top of Mauna Kea the natives there would be acting more like the Navajo?

Commercial development good, science bad.

[MBS]

46. here's a SECOND PETITION to sign:

http://action.sumofus.org/a/grand-canyon/

[NaturalHigh]

51. I would hate to see something like this happen.

We have too many malls as it is. We don't need one by the Grand Canyon.

[YOHABLO]

52. Joni Mitchell says it best >

"They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique
And a swinging hot SPOT
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
‘Til it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot"

[davidpdx]

58. Fitting

[IcyPeas]

53. The Great Pyramids and Sphinx in Egypt:

KFC and Pizza Hut: This is never how I imagined it.

[jberryhill]

55. They must have bought out the fake Hard Rock Cafe

There are a number of... unseemly... Establishments at the edge of Giza.

[davidpdx]

59. I wouldn't have believed it unless I saw it

How ludicrous!

[Enthusiast]

57. Absolutely nothing is sacred.

[wordpix]

84. sadly true in this country

There are some hopeful signs but sorry to say, it's little and late. Whether too little and too late, only time will tell.

[Nye Bevan]

61. I love all of the whitesplaining to the Navajos about why they should not build this project,

even though it will create jobs and generate income for them. Because these natives should not be allowed to build anything, in order that rich whites have a pristine wilderness to visit when they go on vacation.

[tammywammy]

63. It's quite a difference from the threads about the telescope in Hawaii. n/t

[jberryhill]

81. Completely distinguishable in terms of environmental impact

You see no difference between a remotely-operated instrument and a shopping mall?

Seriously, you do not see a difference between those two things in terms of impact/benefit?

[tammywammy]

88. I was referring to

The Hawaii telescope many strong advocates for listening to the native population in what they wanted. Here it's the Najavoes don't know what they want. I wasn't thinking of the environmental issues.

[jberryhill]

89. Please link to reliable polling of those groups on either question

I have no idea what "the native Hawaiians want" or what "the Navajo want" on either proposition, and neither do you.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

65. It reminds me of the people who fetishize subsistence farming for the developing world

while being willfully blind to this global phenomenon known as urbanization. You can't feed your family from a planter box in your apartment.

[Zorra]

68. "Why are they not listening to the Zuni tribes, the Hopi tribes and us, our Navajo people,"

asked Yellowhorse. "Our medicine men have said this area is a holy place," she said, gesturing to the towering flowers of the yucca plant and gnarled, dense spines of blackbrush that covered the sandy ground.

Shelly is expected to sign a proposed resolution authorizing the project, and developers hope to break ground as early as the spring of 2017, but local tribal members say they will not relent. Leaders like Yellowhorse and Kuwanwisiwma have established a group called "Save the Confluence" and are spreading their message with stickers and painted signs across the Navajo reservation.

"These landscapes and the canyon and the confluence today are still very, very important to the Hopi people and we'll never let that go," said Kuwanwisiwma. "We're not going to give up on being good stewards of these lands. Never."

http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/grand-canyon-development-plan-sparks-dispute-among-navajo-n302521

Petitions at link below.

http://savetheconfluence.com/

They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique
And a swinging hot SPOT
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
‘Til it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

[romanic]

69. I usually agree with ya

but I disagree here. I think keeping the Grand Canyon free of malls benefits everyone; Natives, Whites, Blacks, Asians, anyone wanting to visit the Grand Canyon and the Earth itself. Plus as someone posted, there are Navajo people that are against having their land being turned into an outlet for the Gap and H&M. :x

[wordpix]

86. I hope the Navajos will control the land instead of handing it to corporate Mallmerica

I would never visit a mall near the GC but I would certainly pay to enter a Navajo-run park with Navajo trail guides. This is a chance for the Navajos to build sustainable businesses based on respect for the land.

[dembotoz]

74. if they control the land should not they control the land

Folks need jobs
If you can think of a better way for them to support their families I am sure they might be all ears
Don't get me wrong, would prefer no development but I understand the motives

[wordpix]

87. well there are many ways the land can support them without a mall

Since the confluence is so popular with tourists and sacred to the natives, they should create a park and control it themselves. Lots of opportunities for jobs and businesses based on local interests meshing with touristy things. Arts, crafts, music events, park entrance fees, Navajo Park Service, guide services, food stands/restaurants, etc.---all can provide jobs and sustainable businesses.

This idea of handing over a large area, sacred no less, to corporate Mallmerica is just wrong on so many levels.