Local businesses anxious about redevelopment of old Merritt, B.C. rest stop site

[Castanet News]

Visitors to Merritt and area locals have raised concerns about a novel development being built just outside the city and the use of the old site it will sit on....

[bob57]

This is one of those stories you will want to print and post on your fridge. Then when the plans do eventually fail you will have the pleasure of saying I Told You So.

[URudolph]

Re: "Merrifield says the Merritt businesses shouldn't have to worry about the development taking shoppers away from them, as they are hoping the project will attract people who wouldn't otherwise stop in Merritt."

Isn't that precisely the kind of response one would expect to hear from a developer who has a stake in a development proposal ?! I've got $20 bucks on the table that says Renee Merrified didn't give so much as a moments thought about it when she put Troika Developments name forward to be considered part of this development plan.

[tomloudon]

This is going to be a huge money pit, with little oversight and over budget.

[seewood]

I'm not going to stop there to buy a pair of jeans. I stop there so our dogs can go pee.

[Louiew]

It never made sense to me why such a popular visitor spot closed. All new business developments move outside of the older part of town. I'm guessing more new business will be built closer to the highway. Yes, the older businesses will survive.

[curmudgeonly]

This is going to be a huge money pit, with little oversight and over budget.

Ooh, do you promise? Because if so, it would mean Renee Merrifield would lose money.

But no. Like every Conservatard, she'll be fine whether it makes money or not.

[one wheel]

When this new & improved rest stop site opens what will become of the $4 million dollar Loon Lake rest area that's on the Hwy.97 Connector just 35 kms East of Merritt ?