Recent community developments in Perham are impressive. The new shopping center and business development along Highway 78, the residential development along Highway 10 next to the school, and the new hospital proposal are all exciting examples of healthy progress. While this expansion is exciting, I believe it poses a significant threat to the health of the downtown business district.
For as long as I can remember, Perham's downtown has set an impressive national example in that it has remained vibrant regardless of whether the country's economy has been robust or sluggish. With perimeter development, however, comes the threat of a deteriorating downtown. At the very least, avoiding this potential travesty requires enhancing access to downtown businesses. I believe that building a diamond with four loops or diamond with one loop at the intersection of Highway 10 and County 34 is critical to addressing this access issue.
Keep the fire going.
Respectfully,
Bruce Hornbacher
