Everyone says “Not In My Backyard”. Recently the extension of Third Avenue to Tamarac Road (?) was suggested citing emergency vehicles could get there faster. People who built or bought very expensive homes protested.

The Fairgrounds lies within the city limits. Homes were built along the river between the Fairgrounds and M-32. Taxable waterfront property. Then as people sought faster ways to get to M-32 traffic increased. Directly across from the Fairgrounds is housing commonly referred to as “The Projects”. The first housing built expressly for low income families. That usually consists of people with children. All are exposed to the sound, traffic and congestion whenever there is an event at the fairgrounds.

If this happens, parking would be necessary for 375 to two thousand vehicles. I use these numbers from their data. According to the estimates posted in The News they cited numbers would be for events. It seems that we can expect from 2.5 events per month to 3.5 events per month. If every vehicle has two riders at small events that’s 750 cars; or with four occupants 375 vehicles.

Large events two riders two thousand cars or four riders One thousand vehicles.

How will the roads around there handle the traffic? Will there be free parking or will folks park outside the fence wherever they can find space to avoid that charge?

Noise: Water serves to amplify noise. I hear Fairground outdoor events and I live three blocks from Thunder Bay.

Perhaps someplace further out of town? Maybe there would be land available on the road past the Ice Arena?

Perhaps the People of Alpena should VOTE on this?

Remember the old adage: Marry in Haste, repent at leisure?

Kathleen Melville-Hall

Alpena County