Took a good look at the burned out ruin today as I drove past. Say, the Laconia fire chief said something like "Getting rebuilt and restored, or getting torn down is a decision for the insurance company." (a quote from memory and not a real quote) Looking at the ruin, either way seems maybe possible; rebuild or tear down? Wait and see?
Anyway, naming that intersection 'Dysfunction Junction' has definately been a real life prognosticator for what's happened down at the Junction.
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Dysfunction Junction bad news list:
Wide Open Saloon burns down
Volcano Water Slide gets repossessed due to FRM Ponzi scheme
Karl's Fine Foods burns down and sits a vacant lot up for sale for about three years now.
The beach at Weirs Beach had bright yellow Warning-Bacteria signs, posted by the NH-DES, for about 30-days in July and August, this past summer.
The six acre lot between the Volcano and Cumberland Farm gas station, as you drive up the Route 3 hill, gets clear cut of all its' trees except for some just next to the sidewalk.
Winnipesaukee Playhouse, one very brite and entertaining spot, is moving out of Alpenrose Plaza, and relocating to Meredith. (too bad for the Weirs, and super-duper for Meredith!)
The Weirs Beach Post Office cancels its' window service due to lack of business.
The large 13-acre Weirs Beach waterslide, The Surf Coaster, has been closed and for sale for 2-3 years now.
The Weirs Beach Texaco is now a seasonally run gasoline station due to lack of business.
The former Handy Landing store, rebuilt into residential condos, has had a 'for sale' sign out front for going on two years now.
The former Waldo Peppers restaurant is vacant and 'for lease.'
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Some good news:
Gulbicki's Car Towing & Retrieval,
www.gulbickis.com, burns down but gets rebuilt with a very nice looking building! Three cheers for Gulbicki's getting the job done, down at Dysfunction Junction!
Ditto good news for The Lobster Pound restaurant complete with a lighthouse!
www.wb-lp.com
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The future:
A new, state built roundabout to replace the old Dysfunction Junction. If ever a defective intersection needs to be improved with a roundabout, this is the spot!
The WOW Trail could be pedaling right down the driveway next to the burned out Wide Open Saloon's location and onto the newly rebuilt Weirs Beach boardwalk. Hey, can you see the sunlight shining at the end of the Trail? Things can only get better from here! Some more of that federal stimulus money will definately be helping the WOW Trail as it rolls out for eight more waterfront miles, correct?
Congressman Paul Hodes' recent tv political ad, shot on location, right on the Weirs Beach boardwalk, is a very bright sign for good things to start happening down at the Weirs! Way-to-go Senator PAUL HODES! If you want the WOW Trail to get built out for the remaining eight miles, with one mile having already been built, then you want to be voting Paul Hodes(D) for U.S. Senator, New Hampshire!
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Stay tuned, and only time will tell?