Building Podunk

Podunk is abuzz with discussions on tonight's mystery re-zoning meeting. A parcel of land on the highway by the BC Hydro site, is about to be rezoned so as to allow commercial development. Rumours fly with the suggestion of possible tenants at the new development, Costco, Wal Mart, Canadian Tire, Real Canadian Superstore, London Drugs, Home Depot, Save On Foods and Future Shop are just a few of the suggested shopping options that may soon set up shop on the South side of Highway 16. Everyone has their favourite and no store has gone unmentioned in Podunk's favourite guessing game.

If passed the development of that parcel of land would be the first major development in town since the renovation of the Safeway store a number of years ago. Cautious letters of support have occasionally made their way to the local paper, suggesting that a development may stem the flow of tail lights presently heading the way of Terrace.

What will be interesting to watch should the development go ahead, will be the state of the local mall, which in the last number of years has seen tenant after tenant pull up stakes and either close up or move out. While a few have moved in to replace the departed stores, the bottom level of the mall is akin to a ghost town, the only thing missing is tumbleweeds blowing through the corridors.

Progress comes to Podunk, or then again maybe not. It's generally expected the zoning will be changed but one never knows what kind of a turnout may show up for the hearing and what kind of pressure may be brought to bear to keep development within the 3rd Avenue corridor. A part of town that doesn't seem to have the same draw as it once did.