The fight against a big box store in central Austin continues to heat up.  Saturday morning, crowds from the Brentwood, Shoal Creek and Wooten neighborhoods, among others, stood together to wrap their “Arms Around Northcross”.

A sea of protesters, dressed in red, descended on Northcross Mall, all with one thing on their minds:  to say no to Wal-Mart.

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Protesters participate in "Arms Across Northcross" on Saturday.

“Wal-Mart is the wrong thing for the wrong time for Northcross Mall,” said protester Leslie Botts.

“We're really hopeful we can get a variable type of mixed use in central Austin and not bring a big box store and butt it up against a bunch of residential neighborhoods,” said protester Cheryl Silver.

Those in favor of the Wal-Mart believe it will put the once vibrant mall to good use.  Other think the development plan, put together by Lincoln Property Company, will snarl traffic along Burnet Road and Anderson Lane, and on their quiet streets.

Some, such as Sammy Pizzo, are concerned Wal-Mart will force some local stores to shut their doors.

“That's one of the important things for Austin, that we have great local businesses,” he said.  “I think this is just gonna hurt that.”

The group responsible for the protest, “Responsible Growth For Northcross”, had asked for 5,000 people to take part in Arms Around Northcross.  In the end, the group met its goal, a circle of people around the entire perimeter of the mall.

It was a demonstration that State Representative Elliot Naishtat, D-Austin, an opponent of the Wal-Mart plan, believes can make a difference.

“These are mainly neighborhood people.  They’re angry and they're standing tall and, in the end, I think they'll get what they want,” he said.   I think Wal-Mart is gonna either come down on the scope of the project significantly or leave.”

Neighbors believe it was a good way to make their voices heard.  They hope city officials heard the outcry.

“The city is supposed to be about the people, but they're really not listening to the people,” said Pizzo.  “They're more concerned about business interests.”

Wal-Mart’s attorney, Richard Suttle, Jr., said on Saturday the retailer would be willing to compromise and consider scaling down the store.  He declined to say how much it could be scaled back, but said it could be among the smaller Wal-Marts in the city.

"Legally speaking, there is an approved permit and a signed lease,” he said. “Wal-Mart could start (building) tomorrow.  I can tell you that Wal-Mart does not intend to start for at least several weeks, while we show some of these improvements and take in more input."

Suttle said in the next few weeks, the store chain will announce traffic circulation, green space, and architectural improvements.

"I think it's going to be a Wal-Mart like no one has ever seen."