7A Hypothesis for locating new Restaurants and Gas station for the new
US 301 bypass
People
driving on US 301 have usually stopped in Starke, FL to ease hunger pains and
refill their vehicles with gas, with the new US 301 bypass these vehicles will no
longer have that convenient opportunity.
Who
I have
identified the who in my hypothesis as the people driving on US 301. Other
possible customers are the people that live close to the new route. The
residents that live close to the new route will have gas stations and
restaurants closer to them now, so they might frequent these establishments.
What
What
gas stations and what restaurants to open is the big questions here. Obviously,
speed is important to the customers that are making a pit stop on a road trip.
As well, we must service the customer that live in the area. As well as what
service level do the gas station need such as truck stops or just convenience
store and gas stations. As well as the service level of the restaurant i.e casual
dining, fast food, and/or sit-down restaurants.
Why
This
need has arisen from the change in route of US 301. They created the bypass to
relieve congestion in the small town of Starke which has many stop lights and a
railroad crossing that is active. Most people agree with the bypass being built
even the Bradford County commission voted for the bypass over just widening the
road through Starke. Some businesses feel threatened by the bypass others do
not. Like Powell’s Dairy Ice Freeze stand which has been around for 40 years.
Freight traffic is estimated to increase from 25,000 semis a day presently to 31,000
by 2040.
Interview Summary
I interviewed
people who worked at those businesses along the present US 301 about the change
and if they were to move the restaurant what would be some concerns and advice they
would give. It seemed as the residents around the area frequent the sit-down
more full-service type restaurants. Also, they suggested something I did not
think about and that is placing the restaurants near points of congestion where
traffic is moving slow. This gives those people driving the opportunity to pull
off and not zoom right by. Some of the restaurants were concerned with the
change and felt as if their restaurant was going to make a massive hit in
revenue.
Bradley- This new project is going to bring a lot of change to the area. Having services on the new route will be important, but I don’t know to what extent. If people just want to bypass the area they will take the new route, while if they want to stop and eat they might take the route that goes through the town so they can find a restaurant.
ReplyDeleteI like the opportunity because restaurants and gas stations along this route would indeed get a lot of business. However, it would bring a lot of change to the town and would likely be a controversial decision to make. As you said yourself, some businesses feel threatened when others do not so considering the local community, and the opinions of those currently there would be an important consideration.
ReplyDeleteHi Bradley,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an opportunity that might be worth pursuing. The local residents may benefit as much or more than those traveling through town. For instance, I know someone who had a gas station and fast food restaurant built less than a mile from his house. At first, he didn't want it there. However, it is such a convenient location for him that he stops there all the time now to get gas and buy food on the way home.
Ashley Decker
Hey Bradley,
ReplyDeleteI think that there really is an opportunity there! I work a herd of cattle in Starke, and I have been watching the new project under way. I think that it would be an excellent idea to get some restaurants and gas stations there nearby. Currently on 301, there are only a few small places to eat in Waldo and then in Starke there are some others. Putting some new places to eat and get gas on the new route could prove to be very beneficial.
-Dakota Horlocker
Hi Bradley.
ReplyDeleteI have to wonder if people zipping down a bypass away from Starke, if they would stop in the area at all, with Jacksonville being so close. It seems to me that many people would just continue on to the Jacksonville area to eat and re-fuel.
I think the bypass will have a huge, and adverse, effect on the businesses currently located on US 301 near Starke. Many of those businesses are local businesses that depend on that traveler income. I doubt that many of the local businesses would have the resources to relocate their businesses closer to the bypass. I am also concerned that many travelers will now bypass Starke altogether. I’m afraid that many of those businesses will eventually shut down, causing a further economic impact by putting many local residents out of work.
I mentioned this elsewhere, but there is also the revenue to run the city of Starke- what will the city do, without the revenue from all those speeding tickets? Just a thought.