A Route 3 conversation starter

Last week, Orange County citizens and stakeholders got their first look at the recently commissioned Wilderness Gateway Study that aims to identify and ultimately leverage the significant cultural and historic resources in the county’s eastern end.
The study’s goals include establishing the Rt. 3 and Rt. 20 corridor as a gateway to those resources, define appropriate development potential for land in that area (mitigating those resources), increasing visitation at the Wilderness Battlefield, encouraging development that supports heritage tourism and a destination experience (for both residents and visitors), increasing employment opportunities and improving traffic flow and safety.
If you haven’t already, take a look (http://wildernessgateway.org). The study’s summary is an easy read and outlines the high points and scope of the project. Those who want to review the public presentation shared last week at Locust Grove Middle School will find the slideshow easy enough to follow–even without the benefit of a narrator. Most importantly, take the time to consider the short questionnaire soliciting citizen feedback on key questions aimed to collect additional input and ideas.
Coincidentally, this Thursday night is the first of two public hearings on Walmart’s special use permit application for a new supercenter on Rt. 3 at the intersection of Rt. 708.
Certainly, any future vision for the Wilderness Gateway requires acknowledgement of the Walmart question and the study touches on the issue.
Not surprisingly, a Walmart is incongruous with the study’s recommendation that the Route 3 corridor–in an attempt to establish a “village concept” and “a sense of place”–would be better off without the ubiquitous retail giant. Except maybe in Bentonville, AR, no one really identifies Walmart with a particular community. Still, the study notes the county experiences retail and restaurant sales leakage of approximately $87.3 million and estimates a Rt. 3 Walmart could grab more than a third of that.
We agree with the study’s identification of the wealth of cultural and historic resources at the county’s eastern end–even if they’re largely untapped. Certainly, the Friends of Wilderness Battlefield have done a tremendous job to raise the profile of Ellwood and the Wilderness Battlefield long before anyone ever thought about a Rt. 3 Walmart. So, why can’t we do the same with the reportedly archaeologically rich Germanna Colonies and the Enchanted Castle? Why can’t we tap into our east Orange gold mining history in similar ways and develop these resources to the community’s mutual benefit?
The study is a good starting point–if for no other reason than it’s a conversation starter. Glenn Stach of Hill Studio, which facilitated the study, said part of the study’s purpose was simply to get people with divergent opinions around the table and talking.
Well, they’ll certainly be talking the next couple weeks as county planning commissioners and supervisors hear public comment and input on the proposed Rt. 3 Walmart. While all our minds are focused on that topic, let’s broaden our view for a moment, take a look at the study and consider what it is we see–big picture–for that area. Share those views at the public hearings and on the study’s questionnaire.
The conversation’s started. Let’s keep it moving and see where it takes us.