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Who will Come Depends on What You Build |
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GuestWords
By Mary Benson
VICA Needs a New Vision-The Stonehurst area’s value is an economic driver for the Horse Industry.
 That was the first time an argument based on the economics of
horsekeeping had ever been presented according to Vision 2020 Bob
Scott. Sounds like lack of vision on capitalizing on an areas unique
attributes.
Would anyone in their right mind opt for a Home Depot on private land at the entrance to Yosemite?
I’ve looked at the inappropriateness of a Sunland Home Depot in another context.
Sunland is totally unique. It’s a gateway and venue for tourism in the City of Los Angeles that has direct access to the Angeles National Forest. Day laborers and BigBox are inconsistent and detrimental to international tourism.
At best, a Sunland Home Depot will shift wholesale and retail purchases from other stores. It doesn’t increase the pie, just the location of the distribution point.
If built in Sunland, Home Depot would be the only Home Depot within the entire Rim of the Valley Corridor. HD in Sunland would replace the tourist cache of Sunland as a gateway to the Angeles National Forest. It denies the area’s potential for economic growth.
Did you know that there is no Home Depot anywhere in either the San Gabriel or San Fernando Valleys that is North of t he 210 or South of the 101?
Sure- No Home Depot in Woodland Hills, but in ST-No Problem? With the area’s minority and Disadvantaged Community status, that sounds like an Environmental justice issue to me.
Cash in on the Rim-Now that the Rim of the Valley Resource Study is part of the 2008 National Park Resource study, perhaps the VICA should evaluate the potential of Sunland as a gateway to the Rim of the Valley National Recreation Area. This would earmark the area for more upscale accommodations serving a recreating and touring public. It would establish a hospitality based economy.
The HD site’s location would be reserved for shops and restaurants, sporting goods boutiques, hotels and tour agents which is consistent with the existing Specific and Community plans.
Mayor Villaraigosa can insist on a Home Depot, but he will be foregoing the possibility of developing a world class international tourist destination for viewing wildlife and outdoor recreation .
Which option do you think will generate more revenues and employ more stakeholders at a living wage? (Mary Benson is 1st Vice President of the Sun Valley Area Neighborhood Council.) ◘
CityWatch
Vol 6 Issue 70
Pub: Aug 29, 2008
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