Morgan Hill already has a Target. I am not sure what market research was done, but apparently, somebody thought that the one we had just was not big enough. I was in that Target just last week and it looked like you could land a 727 in there. The new Target - just across the freeway from the curent one, is huge. At twice the size of the old Target, the new one measures in at about 125,000 square feet. And that literally CAN accomodate a 727.

Well, those of us that call Morgan Hill home will be able to see what a difference a super sized Target will make in our lives this Sunday (July 29th) when it opens.

Of course, when you arrive at the new store on Cochrane Avenue on the east side of 101 you might notice something. This thing is just the tip of a retail iceberg that is surfacing. While the Target store may be the first addition to the site, it is by no means the last. As reported by the Morgan Hill Times,  the site has already got commitments from a slew of other retailers to occupy spots in the new development. But keep in mind, this is only phase one of the development. The current list of those moving into the site is:

• Petco
• Staples
• Circuit City
• Chili's restaurant
• Red Robin restaurant
  
• Sleeptrain
• DSW (shoes)
• Ono Hawaiian BBQ
  
• Jamba Juice
  
• Starbucks
  
• GNC
• Radio Shack
• Men's WearHouse
• Payless Shoes
  

Here are a few others that are in talks, but not committed:

• Gamestop
• Queen Bee Nails
  
• Sports Clips
• Coyote Real Estate
  
• Dream Dinners
• Majestic Beauty Supply
  
• Quiznos
• Site for Sore Eyes
  
• Verizon Wireless 
• Fresh Cleaners
  

The article goes on to quote the developer, DiNapoli as saying, "It's certainly going to be different from Gilroy, I think that's what people are looking for," 

Wow, that certainly is a comfort, because the whole development looks EXACTLY like the development in Gilroy. Right down to the exterior brick work, unimaginative architecture and the fact that it does not conform in any way to the style, architecture or community culture of Morgan Hill. People move to Morgan Hill to get away from this kind of stuff.

The whole development is working directly against what makes people want to move to Morgan Hill in the first place.

Now don't get me wrong. I am not against these businesses coming to town. What I am against is the way they come to town. Look at Trader Joes. The style of construction they used fits with Morgan Hill. Look at towns like Los Gatos where a big name business like Borders integrates into the community comfortably and in harmony. Is there some good reason why this cannot happen in Morgan Hill? This would be a good question to ask the Morgan Hill City Council.

This new development changes the make up of the community around it, instead of integrating into it.

You can't even blame the developer (okay, you can - but he is just doing what he is allowed to do). When it comes time for folks to provide feedback to those responsible, the blame should squarely rest on the shoulders of the City Council.

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