DCPREZ-0000-07357 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

December 5, 1997 To the members of the Cambridge Village Board We read in the paper that there is consideration before the Village Board to allow a strip mall on Highway 12&18, west of Cambridge. Apparently the owners are wanting to build a strip mall or sell the land to a larger business such as Wal-Mart. We were saddened to see that members of the Cambridge community want to see that type of development. We have three concerns. The first is selfish. As a business owner in Cambridge, it would be the beginning of the end of the downtown shopping district . More than 10 years ago when a designer was hired to consider, among other things, the future growth of Cambridge, my recollection was, to keep shopping located on the short section of Main Street. It was my understanding that there are some businesses that require larger parking, they would be encouraged to develop west, working out from the Village. We have experienced the change in the Stoughton community shopping area, with the stores now spread out over a 3 mile length of highway 51 . There is no longer the small town shopping center that once existed. One must drive everywhere, stopping every 1/2 mile to accomplish necessary shopping. Wal-mart and Pick and Save, not only caused a 1/3 drop in our sales, but their presence was a direct result in the closing of several long established businesses . Spreading out the shopping would eliminate a small town bakery, people will seldom park a car for just one stop. Our second concern is also selfish. We love the beauty of the Rockdale - Cambridge community. The distinct differentiation between town and country is charming. The only blot that we have is the car lot on Highway 12, west of Cambridge. We don' t want to add to that mess . Although it may not cause financial ruin to most of the Cambridge citizens, it will certainly be a sad day when we become like other communities who failed to enforce their long-range plans of development.