Vote No on the Highway 85 Extension
by Victoria Vail, Tribune staff writer
Next week, the city council will consider a proposal to extend Highway 85 by 10 miles. A small coalition of real estate developers have hurried this proposal forward, hoping to capitalize on state tax breaks and reassuring the city that their intentions are good. In truth, however, the proposed extension would hurt our community. It would be bad for downtown businesses, bad for families, and bad for the environment.
Bad for Downtown Businesses
Developers claim that the land west of town is ripe to be turned into a combined retail/residential area. They say that the extension of Highway 85 would give shoppers access to a greater variety of stores. In truth, though, we already have a great variety of stores downtown—over 200 of them. Many of these businesses have been hurting for several years due to the neglect of the Exit 10 overpass, which has made driving difficult. Extending Highway 85 would give shoppers a reason to avoid downtown altogether—likely dooming many small businesses and leaving buildings vacant. However, the overpass could be repaired at a fraction of the cost of the highway extension. This small investment in city infrastructure would be good for businesses and shoppers alike.
The author's point of view is that the proposed extension of Highway 85 should be voted against. The author believes that the extension would be detrimental to downtown businesses, families, and the environment. They argue that repairing existing infrastructure and finding sustainable solutions would be a better option for the community.
Bad for Families
The proposed extension of Highway 85 may seem like a convenience for commuters, but it would actually be detrimental to families in our community. The increased traffic from the extension would lead to more congestion and longer commutes for residents. This means less time spent with family and more time stuck in traffic. Additionally, the noise and pollution from the increased traffic would have a negative impact on the quality of life for families living near the highway. It is important that we prioritize the well-being and happiness of our families over the convenience of a few commuters.
Bad for the Environment
Extending Highway 85 would have serious consequences for the environment. The construction of the highway would require clearing large amounts of land, which would result in the destruction of natural habitats and ecosystems. This is particularly concerning considering the increasing threat of climate change and the need to protect and preserve our natural resources. Additionally, the increased traffic from the extension would lead to higher levels of air pollution, contributing to poor air quality and negatively impacting the health of our community.
In conclusion, the proposed extension of Highway 85 would not bring the benefits that real estate developers claim. It would harm downtown businesses, negatively impact families, and have devastating effects on the environment. It is essential that we vote against this proposal and instead invest in repairing existing infrastructure and finding sustainable solutions for our community.
What is the author's point of view?
What is the author's purpose?
The author's purpose is to persuade readers to vote against the proposed extension of Highway 85. They aim to convince readers that the extension would have negative impacts on downtown businesses, families, and the environment. The author wants readers to prioritize repairing existing infrastructure and finding sustainable solutions instead.
To explain why extending Highway 85 would be bad for downtown businesses, there are a few key points mentioned in the article:
1. Developers argue that the extension would create a combined retail/residential area and attract more shoppers. However, the article points out that downtown already has a wide variety of stores, totaling over 200. Many of these businesses have been struggling due to the neglect of the Exit 10 overpass, which has made driving difficult.
2. If Highway 85 is extended, shoppers would have a reason to bypass downtown altogether, which would likely lead to the downfall of many small businesses and result in vacant buildings. This would have a negative impact on the local economy.
Instead of extending the highway, the article suggests that investing in repairing the Exit 10 overpass would be a more cost-effective solution. By improving the existing infrastructure, it would make driving to downtown easier and more convenient for shoppers. This would benefit both businesses and customers, helping to revitalize the downtown area and support local entrepreneurs.