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WASHINGTON - D.C. developers are courting Wal-Mart, hoping to bring a new store to Ward 8, where Council member Marion Barry is publicly supporting the plan.

The Washington Business Journal reports developer Jeff Epperson is now in talks with Wal-Mart about land near Poplar Point, an area just across the Anacostia River from Nationals Park.

Ward 8 residents say they need shopping options other than carryout restaurants.

"Oh every where you go there's a carryout," said Ward 8 resident Marilyn Walker. "I'm not a carryout person; I don't eat carryout food often. I might eat it one time a month. I like to cook at home. I like home-cooked meals."

In order to buy groceries and eat healthy, many residents are forced to cross the Anacostia. That's why Council member Marion Barry would welcome Wal-Mart to Ward 8, currently home to one grocery store and one pharmacy.

"We just want a major development that brings jobs and brings consumer projects to Ward 8 -- we need it!" Barry said. "There's 70,000 of us. We are thirsty, we have some money."

But Barry knows Wal-Mart would face major opposition, especially from local unions.

"And I"ve said to them, 'You have a better option, bring it to the table.'" Barry recalled. "But it's hard to get development to Ward 8, it's hard."

Barry would also face opposition from pro-union council members, including Phil Mendelson (D-At Large).

"Economic development and jobs are important, but the real issue here -- and we've argued this in the Council -- is not just jobs, but quality jobs," Mendelson said. "And quality jobs mean decent wages and decent benefits and not being hostile or antagonistic to workers who may want to organize."

Even some Ward 8 residents have reservations about Wal-Mart.

"They're a big giant company," said William Mills, who works in Ward 8. "And the main thing for DC is jobs and competitive wages."

But the D.C. Chamber of Commerce says Wal-Mart could make concessions, as it did when it opened stores in Chicago.

In certain areas, "they've looked at internal policies and made changes themselves without the force of political will," said Chamber spokeswoman Janene D. Jackson.

But many Ward 8 residents, including Rico Seabrooks, say economic development should be the priority.

"The need in Ward 8 is way greater than ... the city councilmen may think because they're not out here knowing what the people of Ward 8 need," Seabrooks said.

A Wal-Mart spokesperson says the world's largest retailer has some interest in a D.C. location, but there is no active search for a space to construct a Wal-Mart.

And space is a concern. Wal-Mart needs enough land to accommodate an 80,000- to 100,000-square-foot store, hoping to take advantage of cheaper land during the downturn.

There would also be the usual zoning issues, but District government has already distanced itself from any subsidies to bring Wal-Mart to town.

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