ups & downs-Weirs biz

[Pepper]

Weirs Guy - I agree in large part with your thoughts.

I also believe there are other factors contributing to the decline in business/traffic/revenue in the neighborhood. For instance, over the winter season of '04/'05, we lost 84 (or more) cottages which had previously been weekly-rental locations up and down Weirs Boulevard. They were converted to condominiums, and purchased as second homes. So, what once provided a large volume of families on vacation for a week at a time, has turned into a smattering of weekend visitors. Let's face it, not everyone who owns one of these units is here every weekend. This leaves a large hole in the tourism ecomomy of the neighborhood.

With regard to bike week - I don't feel anyone has accused the neighborhood of being a bike-week-only area. I think what's being said is that much planning and effort go into that week, but sadly little else is done to market the area for the remainder of the season. That said, I feel strongly that the Weirs Action Committee has put forth a mammoth effort, and has achieved a measure of success for sure! All the flowerpots, traffic-island gardens and flags go a long way toward beautifying the area. The fireworks are another terrific addition. Unfortunately a small group which is entirely self-funded can only do so much.

Everyone is certainly in agreement that some of the buildings in the vicinity could do with some major sprucing-up. The trouble is, it's a seasonal resort, with limited income potential! Therefore, the profits made during the season must sustain the expenses of the property and business for the entire year. Taxes alone are enough of a burden, but when added to the simple costs of doing business it certainly doesn't leave enough left over for major refurbishments.

So let's say for argument's sake that an entity with extraordinarily deep pockets comes along and buys up huge sections. Then what? They build huge hotels and shopping plazas which will only be busy for three or four months of each year? Or do they build casinos? Either brings it's share of relief, and it's share of grief.

The Weirs is completely unique in that it is one of the most beautifully scenic stretches of waterfront on the lake, but is off-the-beaten-path of major roadways. Once the season is over, there is little traffic, largly because the communities on either side are self-sustaining - meaning there is not much cause to travel from one to the other. Hence, the dead-zone we become from September through May.

Theories abound regarding what could/should happen. The reality is that no matter what happens, there will always be some who are unhappy with the result. If the Wiers remains the same, folks will complain it is outdated, rundown, etc. If it changes, folks will lament the change. It's a catch-22 no matter how it shakes out.

There is only one thing I can say with great certainty. The Weirs is home to some of the nicest and most hard-working people I know. People who care deeply about their community, their property, their neighbors, and their visitors. I'm proud to have been a part of that community, and a big part of me is sad to be leaving it behind.