Nelsonville Bypass Opening - Short Term Economic Impact

[Steely Dan]

Just my own observations and commentary about the bypass.

Well, it has been one year since the first leg of the bypass opened, and now 30 days since the entire bypass officially opened to traffic. Having been driving this stretch multiple times weekly for the last 13 years, the grand opening on October 1st was a day I was happy to see arrive. One, it is an absolutely beautiful stretch of road, the views are spectacular. Two, much safer, efficient, and faster, which everyone can appreciate.

There was concern expressed about the impact on local business once the high volume of traffic was no longer forced through the bottleneck known as Canal Street. Well, I waited until last night to drive the entire stretch of old 33 on my way home, jumping off the freeway at Haydenville. Of course, the first thing I saw was that Dee's Diner was shuttered. Don't ever recall seeing anything in the local paper about it closing, but I figured it would not survive, just too hard to get to now.

Very little traffic on old 33 until I got to Nelsonville, but the volume picked up some once I got past the Dorr run roundabout. The gambling parlors on the west end are still thriving, which surprised me. I thought they were illegal now and would have been closed. I got to McDonalds before I saw my first potential casualty of the bypass. Tink's used car lot was cleared, and Tink and a woman were emptying the office. Got down to the intersection with old Rt. 78 and the BP has closed. Another block down, Hocking Valley Motor Company has pulled up stakes and moved to Athens, but I believe they did so a week or so before the bypass fully opened.

So, as folks said prior to the opening of the bypass, businesses will be affected, and they have been. Those that want to survive are going to have to adjust, and as they do, things will improve. I don't see Nelsonville becoming a ghost town, I see it as a town that will survive and prosper with businesses that people view as a "destination". Give them a reason to get off the bypass and patronize your business, and they will. Those that have nothing special to offer, on the other hand, will struggle, such as gas stations and the fast food restaurants. That said, I'm not sure if the shuttered Dairy Queen will ever get sold, especially at the original asking price of $875,000. :122246

It is going to be a period of adjustment for the local business owners, but eventually, I believe things will improve, especially with businesses that are innovative and have something different to offer. Just my two cents. Would be interested to hear other folks thoughts as well.

[dazed&confused]

I think the incedental purchase businesses like fast food and gas will take the biggest hit. They are the biggest benificiary of "accidental" traffic. Other than that, it should be business as usual. If you had a reason to go to Nelsonville, you will still do that. If you were just passing through, you'll do that on the bypass now.

[fightingtigers45]

There's gambling parlors in Nelsonville?

[C-Bolt]

My Mom always said downtown Logan was never the same after 33 went around it years ago,today there is vacant buildings everywhere and is a ghost town after about 9 or 10 at night,a lot of the businesses have got out of downtown and planted out by 33 near the Walmart.So far Lancaster has survived their bypass from the looks of the volume of traffic that still goes through there on a daily basis and I hope Nelsonville survives as well,I'm down there quite a bit and there is a lot more traffic than I thought there would be and it is nice not to hear the big rigs roaring through there now.

[noreply66]

Hope Nelsonville survives too...Great town

[NYBuckeye96]

There's gambling parlors in Nelsonville?

Unfortunately, yes. Those ones that spring up everywhere that the State is trying to shut down. I hope they get shut down because they are not regulated like the casinos and racinos.

[NYBuckeye96]

I think the fast food places should do enough business to stay open. 5,000 students at Hocking College, plus the general town population.

[Orange and Brown]

We are struggling and the community needs to come together and put together a plan.
The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway brings people from out of town.
Final Fridays on Tue Public square brings folks in and we will get trail riders who stop in on weekends and such, but as a community we have to be organized, and we all have to work together.
Nelsonville is a great town and I know we will not only survive but prosper

[Steely Dan]

O&B - With folks like you working hard to make it happen, it will. It is just going to take some time, so don't let the naysayers win! I've got faith in you, my friend!