Let’s see now, economic advantage, jobs infusion vs. one more stoplight on Range Line which is destined to be a difficult north/south pathway for many years to come. It is no longer the primary Highway 71 route and has become a commercial district. To my way of thinking commercial districts require stoplights to safeguard motorists and encourage continued interest by potential investors.
Granted, I’m not privy to your position regarding engineering, etc. which may not be easy. However it seems to me that sooner or later, Range Line will require more stoplights, or it will grind to a halt in terms of its economic contribution to the area. The practicality of the situation is that it will cost fewer dollars now that it ever will in the future.
Recent history includes the stoplight proposal at 17th and Range Line during the development of the property that includes Academy Sports. Since that stoplight was installed and the medians added there has been much development take place. The new Marketplace strip center was built and is occupied. AT&T; built a new storefront and others that were vacant are now occupied. Despite the early concern about the light making Range Line more difficult, it has been a stimulus to economic and property development.
I don’t see motorists avoiding Range Line because that stoplight made their life more difficult. I remember that project well as my brother was one of the two developers with that property. Short story, what was initially viewed by many as a negative quickly proved itself to be a positive on several levels.
It goes without saying, but I will say it anyway; I encourage you to take a viable, forward looking position on this issue and approve a stoplight to accommodate not only Hy-Vee, but promote peripheral development in that area of Range Line and Joplin. This is hardly a point in our economic history that it’s wise to take an obstructionist stance.
Suzanne Duncan
Joplin
Opinion
Voices: Stoplight stimulus
Editor’s note: The following letter was sent to officials at District 7 of the Missouri Department of Transportation.
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