[Peter B]

Originally Posted by bluestar2

Bringing in another Meijer store would absolutely cause a domino effect. TC needs jobs, jobs, jobs and a new Meijer would bring in just that. Many people comtemplating a move to TC don't come due to the scarcity of decent-paying jobs. If a Meijer is built on the East Side, you can bet that other stores and companies would start trickling in nearby. Even with a 2nd Meijer, TC will never turn into a large city. It would always retain a rural feel, mostly due to the outlying townships, rural landscape, and one-lane roads. You could build 10 more big-box stores and it wouldn't change the feel of the area - - but TC's ecomony would certainly improve.

Other obvious facts that escape the locals They don't realize you cannot stop progress. Their education will progress over the next few years

[Peter B]

You had to have been born & raised here.

Originally Posted by Jswee

I have to stop and scratch my head when someone who labels themselves a "progressive" thinks that building a new Meijers is the epitome of responsible development.

The Acme/Williamsburg area does not have the demographics to support a Meijers, without it having a devastating impact on the established local retail stores. What exactly can you buy at Meijers that you can't get at K-mart or Tom's, both of which are already existing in Acme? What is the net job gain when Tom's and other local retailers (who are locally owned and keep and spend their profits locally instead of shipping them off to Grand Rapids) is forced under because of a new Meijers?

What is going to be the cost to local taxpayers, who are already paying high taxes, to make the infrastructure improvements for the road, water and sewer improvements that would be needed if a new big-box super store is built in Acme?

There are a whole host of other impacts that need to be assessed instead of just worrying about your Ice cream melting on the trip back across town from the existing Meijers. Buy your ice cream at Tom's and then you don't have to worry about it. Better yet, move to the west side of TC, where you are closer to shopping and the downtown. Then you can ride your bike to the store like a true progressive would.

[Jswee]

Originally Posted by Peter B

Other obvious facts that escape the locals They don't realize you cannot stop progress. Their education will progress over the next few years

Who said anything about stopping progress? I just don't view building a big box store in a rural setting as progress, that's all. Look at the quality development that is happening in Downtown Traverse, like the Rivers Edge and Mid-town projects. Look at what's happening at the Grand Traverse commons. All examples of world class, responsible, sustainable development that is great for this area. And as to your other post, yes I'm a TC native and proud of it. I'm also a local business owner and have a vested interest in the responsible development of this area.

Thinking that a new Meijers store is the epitome of responsible development, clearly you were not born and raised here. :lol:

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by Jswee

Who said anything about stopping progress? I just don't view building a big box store in a rural setting as progress, that's all. Look at the quality development that is happening in Downtown Traverse, like the Rivers Edge and Mid-town projects. Look at what's happening at the Grand Traverse commons. All examples of world class, responsible, sustainable development that is great for this area. And as to your other post, yes I'm a TC native and proud of it. I'm also a local business owner and have a vested interest in the responsible development of this area.

Thinking that a new Meijers store is the epitome of responsible development, clearly you were not born and raised here. :lol:

It's called the "begining" of progress.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by bluestar2

I did not flee another part of the state. I have lived in 5 other states and in very populated, congested areas as well as small towns. I don't think Traverse City is doing all that well, maybe just not as bad as the rest of the state. In comparison with the rest of the country, it is not doing well at all economically.

Well that's because the whole state of Michigan is doing poorly, but Grand Rapids and Traverse City are doing better than most of the rest of the state.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by Jswee

Thinking that a new Meijers store is the epitome of responsible development, clearly you were not born and raised here. :lol:

LOL! The meaning of "progressive" is subjective for sure.

[Peter B]

Originally Posted by mkfarnam

It's called the "begining" of progress.

They take it in baby steps. Don't forget, smoking is allowed almost everywhere. Slowly but surely, this part of the world will come to the 21st century and welcome jobs & development AND secure the future for the kids & grandchildren.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by Peter B

They take it in baby steps. Don't forget, smoking is allowed almost everywhere. Slowly but surely, this part of the world will come to the 21st century and welcome jobs & development AND secure the future for the kids & grandchildren.

What made you flee Gross Pointe and head for the hills?

[scottmi]

Originally Posted by malamute

Well that's because the whole state of Michigan is doing poorly, but Grand Rapids and Traverse City are doing better than most of the rest of the state.

I would like to see where you are reading/hearing TC is doing "better than most of the state"....from my experience and knowledge of TC over the years, it is stagnate economy-wise at best and has been for the past few years. Probably the only field that has seen growth is the medical field, thanks to Munson....but as I've said many times, it's sorta stupid to base a whole city's future on one type of work (medical).

[Jswee]

Believe it, Traverse City is doing significantly better than much of the State. Look at the growth that is occurring in the downtown area. Look at the retail vacancy rate downtown, (virtually zero) and then look at other towns that have stores sit vacant for years. If you had gone to the city commission meeting on Monday night you would have heard about a major expansion of the Rivers Edge project, that is the site of one of the fastest growing companies in the State and which provides hundreds of good paying jobs in the Traverse City area. As far as basing an economy on health care, if you look at the economic projections, health care is going to be one of the strongest growth sectors in the next several decades. If I had to choose an economic sector to base an economy on, becoming a world class, regional medical center sure beats the heck out of basing your economy on the auto industry or some other industry that is likely to be outsourced and shipped overseas in our increasingly global economy.