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 given statement discusses a debate regarding the development of a combined retail/residential area west of town and the extension of Highway 85. The developers claim that the highway extension would provide shoppers with access to a greater variety of stores, potentially drawing customers away from the downtown area. However, the author argues that downtown already has a significant number of stores (over 200) and many of them have been struggling due to the neglect of the Exit 10 overpass, making it difficult to drive.
The author suggests that rather than extending the highway, a more viable solution would be to invest in repairing the overpass. This, according to the author, would be a cost-effective way to improve city infrastructure, benefiting both businesses and shoppers.
To assess the validity of these claims, it would be helpful to consider the following steps:
1. Evaluate the current variety of stores downtown: Verify the number and diversity of stores in the downtown area. This could be done by researching local business directories or contacting the local chamber of commerce.
2. Assess the impact of neglected infrastructure: Understand the specific problems caused by the neglected Exit 10 overpass. This might involve examining local traffic reports, talking to store owners, or gathering data on any decline in business.
3. Analyze the potential benefits of the highway extension: Investigate the arguments made by the developers regarding how extending Highway 85 would provide shoppers access to a greater variety of stores. Research how similar expansions have affected nearby areas and assess the potential impact on downtown businesses.
4. Evaluate the costs and benefits of repairing the overpass: Investigate the cost estimates for repairing the Exit 10 overpass and assess whether it would effectively alleviate the driving difficulties. Consider the potential impact on traffic flow and accessibility to downtown businesses.
5. Consider alternative solutions: Explore other options to improve infrastructure or drive traffic to downtown businesses. This could involve analyzing the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of various proposals, such as adding alternative modes of transportation or implementing marketing campaigns to promote downtown stores.
By following these steps and conducting thorough research, stakeholders can gather the necessary information to make an informed decision on whether the highway extension or the repair of the overpass is the better solution for the town and its businesses.