As a home owner who lives in walking distance from the new RaceTrac on Spring Road I am personally affected by the new construction and after a gamut of comments from Leo Smith's article on Patch the other day I figured I would chime in with a few thoughts of my own.
1. RaceTrac is as local as it gets.
RaceTrac is a Georgia based company who’s national headquarters and corporate office is right here in Smyrna (off Cumberland Blvd.). If you are into supporting “local” businesses, it doesn’t get much more local than that.
I love our local establishments like Rev coffee, Lucky 13 Pizza (across from the new RaceTrac), and Atkins Park Tavern. It’s little eateries and shops like these that make a community great, but as a local economy – the RaceTrac is helping a lot of people.
2. Jobs. Jobs. Jobs.
The new RaceTrac station is providing jobs to over a dozen individuals, many of which were raised and educated right here in Smyrna. In addition, their corporate HQ provides another couple dozen jobs. There aren’t many local businesses in the area that can boast those kinds of stats.
3. It’s an anchor for local businesses already there.
The RaceTrac is good for existing businesses too. If you haven’t already noticed there are a handful of amazing businesses across the way from the RaceTrac and behind it – many of which I’m guessing no one even noticed until they had a reason to stop for gas. (Please, check them out!)
When you bring in a popular brand to anchor an area it typically helps the surrounding businesses by giving local Cobb residents a reason to stop in the first place. My guess is that the additional foot traffic brought in by the RaceTrac will probably lead to at least a few customers dropping by the local shops and eateries too.
4. It’s better than what was there before.
After driving past what seemed to be an abandoned motel and a large cobalt blue bulding for the past couple of years, I for one, am happy to see a nicely landscaped and thriving business there presently.
So if you want to support a beautiful and thriving "entrance to Smyrna" vote with your feet and come on by. Just make your way accross the street next time you stop for gas at the RaceTrac. We have a few small businesses that deserve your business.
"Oscar G. 9:46 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012 I'll tell ya..In a previous thread, it was discussed that Smyrna won't "allow" box stores to come into the city limits. This article quotes Teri A. as saying: "“The offer from the big box store that was named in the letter of intent was only for a portion of the property.” Which lets me know that immediately the proposal was rejected for that reason, IF for no other. We cannot expect to financially recover and certainly bring any sort of employment opportunities to Smyrna if the council continually snubs their noses at businesses because they're not "exactly what they're looking for." It appears that the council is utterly myopic and lacks the ability at this point to move Smyrna's economy forward. It's disturbing. Very disturbing."
http://northdruidhills.patch.com/articles/racetrac-rezoning-request-withdrawn-from-county Two issues that have never been addressed - exposure and runoff because of gasoline products and ability to sell alcohol because of location between a school and church.
This is the kind of "Community Vigilance" that Ward 1 so desperately needed, but it's too late now. We're stuck with that big neon glitter. Ugh.
I believe that we need to plan accordingly for the growth of the city. Much like you would plan for a garden. Nothing can grow here now because of that Big Neon Glitter. That gives the distinct impression that the city has cut their nose off, OUR noses more specifically, to spite our face. You didn't want a liquor store in YOUR neighborhood anymore than we wanted this circus tent in ours. And I may be mistaken, but I don't think the city owned the Spring Rd. properties. We weren't on the line for anything monetarily. RT will not improve the quality of life, the value of the homes, the "face" of Smyrna. And no business of substance will ever build anywhere near that place. There was a clear lack of long term, big picture vision by allowing it be built there. Those of us opposed to RT realize that this hideous beast is here for the long haul. Much to our dismay. But please do not expect that when someone publicly chants and cheers for it as some benchmark of our city that it won't be countered by those of an opposing POV. There is a difference between the Dunton St. property and Spring Rd. Trying to manipulate or misrepresent what's been said, or take comments out of context doesn't change that or make it any less true.
We can go to which ever station we prefer at this point and pay the same at the pump.
"Oscar G. 12:03 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012 Some money coming in is better than no money coming in. It doesn't take a Nobel Prize Winning Economist to realize that fact. We are in a deeply recessed economy. It is foolish to continually turn away revenue simply because it's not another Lockheed Martin or some such manufacturer. If as a council they are not going to accept these bids, they should tell we the people "why not?" All the speculation would die off if we could just get a straight forward answer. I for one am tired of hearing about what "could've" been." WOW...that was a lot to say. Sorry to be so long winded....but we always seem to have such stimulating exchanges. Enjoy your evening.
I could just as easily go back from earlier threads and pull comments to toss out, (including ones that specifically clarify your husband's position as the SH mouthpiece) if my position wasn't strong. Which apparently yours isn't. It is arrogant and frankly tacky to assume that I'm "only hiding behind a computer." And incorrect. But that's neither here nor there. The only reason I mentioned him, SH, or the DDA at all was because YOU felt a need to rehash that thread and take things out of context. AGAIN. I have a tremendous problem with the hypocrisy of Smyrna's gov't, no question about it. Your liquor store and our Big Neon Glitter are prime examples. Which I thought I'd made clear. Apparently not. I do not believe for one minute your supposed politeness to the "powers that be" had even one shred of influence on that liquor store going in or not. You believe whatever you choose. Facts remain facts. There is no debating facts. Its becoming more commonplace for people to attempt to debate FACTS when they're losing ground. It's ridiculous. Clarification is one thing, but to insist that something isn't what we know it is, that's just wagging the dog. And the facts remain that Ward 1 did not need, nor really want that bloody gas station. Fact: most people here are not involved in local gov't, hence us being saddled with that glowing eyesore. Fact: there was another signalized intersection>>>
And, we'd have good locations for real businesses to build there. Drawing real jobs, nice architecture, landscaping, something..anything better than RT! And now, we're stuck with the Big Neon Glitter. And no hope of anything substantial coming in there. As a consumer, I don't care for RT, and I never have. But I understand commerce. It's the location of that glorified gas station that, to me, is the most problematic. One light down, and I wouldn't have had a word to say. But having it directly in front of that apartment complex, which BTW, a few SPD have indicated to me is a big concern for them as well, along with having it across the street from a residential neighborhood is nothing but bad planning. PERIOD. And it shows, yet again, how poorly the "powers that be" think things thru, and how little they really care for the residents they were Elected to Serve. It's disgusting. And I think this horse has been ridden as far as it can go. There's nothing else to say.
The council doesn't care about it's citizens. At least not in Ward 1. And we have the Circus tent to prove it.
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I started in Aug. at city council meeting re removing speed signs by RT. Did the rounds with 2 council members and the Smyrna road staff, then the county who emailed me to contact the mayor, which I did again in writing. Now I've contacted Argyle Principal and parents. Call Mayor Bacon at 770-431-2842 this week..
I am loving the price war that is happening between QT and Racetrac. I like to picture them grumbling expletives as they look at each other's ever-changing regular unleaded price through binoculars -- to the benefit of us all. Ah, the smell of capitalism in the morning.