Re: Highway 95 -- Moscow Bypass

[Bob Hoffmann <escape@alt-escape.com>]

At 12:10 PM 03/01/2000 -0800, Philip Cook wrote:
>Bruce Livingston wrote:
>
> > The experience of many cities that built interstate highway spurs and
> > beltways was that it hurt their downtowns and ecouraged development outside
> > of the downtown aand instead on the beltway.
>
>If a community has the political
>will to keep land along the spur, beltway, or bypass in zoning
>classifications that prohibit such development, then it cannot
>occur.

My experience is that the same interests who want to improve our 
transportation infrastructure also want to promote "development" and "growth."

Another horror story from Medina, Ohio:
The city for years did not want a bypass, because businesses thought they 
would lose drive-by traffic.  Finally, the volume of 18-wheelers bouncing 
through Medina's historical Victorian town square grew unbearable.  Much of 
the surrounding land had already been developed, so the city said it needed 
to put a road through a public park.  I'm not sure of the details, but the 
result was that the bypass through the park became lined with 
houses.  Signs were posted on each end of the "bypass:"  NO TRUCKS.  Tell 
me that no one was on the take with that deal.

Of course, that is a very minor story in Medina.  The real Tim Egan 
wouldn't bother with Moscow when there are small towns like Medina for 
inspirations of intrigue.


Bob Hoffmann
229 East C St., Suite B
Moscow, ID  83843  USA
Phone: (208) 883-0642
Fax: 1-800-683-3799
http://www.alt-escape.com