DEAR EDITOR:
As a member of the Gilroy Planning Commission, I have studied
the issues which lead to the City Council’s granting of financial
incentives to Newman Development Corporation on the north side of
Highway 152 and Regency Corporation on the south side of Highway
152, both being east of U.S. 101 at Camino Arroyo.
DEAR EDITOR:
As a member of the Gilroy Planning Commission, I have studied the issues which lead to the City Council’s granting of financial incentives to Newman Development Corporation on the north side of Highway 152 and Regency Corporation on the south side of Highway 152, both being east of U.S. 101 at Camino Arroyo. I believe that the incentives are necessary and in the best interests of the City of Gilroy and it’s residents, in the long run.
There are three reasons that I believe these incentives provide long-term value to the city:
1) I have seen the list of committed and tentative stores which will be part of the developments and many are substantial businesses which will provide significant and continuing revenues to the city. Already evident are the new Costco, Lowe’s and the currently being constructed Target store. There are documents available which identify the potential new businesses and the proposed layout of the businesses within these developments.
2) In this current nationwide economic downturn I believe it would be difficult to bring developments of this size to the city without city partnership in the venture and some sharing in its risk. Yes, undertakings of this magnitude and in these economic times do involve some risk but potential for long term benefits to our residents and to the increased revenues to the city require bold commitments.
3) The infrastructure improvements in the area of the developments are already becoming evident on the north side of Highway 152 east of U.S. 101. There are new, wide and lighted streets leading to the newly built stores. The potential future access to the Gilroy Premium Outlets via Camino Arroyo is evident. The future tie-in of these two retail powerhouses will enhance the prospect of shoppers to use both shopping areas and increase revenue growth to the city even further. The challenge from labor unions to possible Wal-Mart move to the Newman Development should be directed to Wal-Mart or any other business with which they have a disagreement.
The Newman and Regency developments, when completed, will be good for the shopping convenience of the residents of Gilroy and any other shoppers passing through our town. The prospects of future and continued revenue growth for the city will provide the opportunity to fund many of the projects which are currently in city plans and are on many resident’s wish lists.
Norm Thompson, Gilroy
Submitted Tuesday, April 29
