A large-format store is now a frank option in our little historic town. Besides the controversy with how a big discounter could upset the area's appeal, we are interested in the way it could have an effect on Pagosa Springs, Colorado real estate prices. The construction of a Big Box store in Pagosa Springs has been a contentious idea for a long time. The two central areas of discussion have been the monetary effect and the potential changes to our town's atmosphere. At the moment, let's look closer at the specific ways that properties, business and real estate in general will be influenced.
To learn even more regarding
Pagosa Springs real estate please go to the web page.
A press release was sent out jointly by the Archuleta Board of County Commissioners, the Town of Pagosa Springs and the Pagosa Springs Community Development Corporation in September 2010. It made the announcement that a large retail store is earnestly considering the development of a facility in the Pagosa Springs area.
In fact, we believe that the corporation concerned is Wal-Mart, and that we are on the short list of likely development locations for the state.
The development site that is being looked at is actually slightly outside town,on the northwest corner of Vista Boulevard and U.S. Highway 160. The alternative spot that has attracted speculation through the years is the so-called "Sawmill property" located on the southeast corner of the intersection of U.S. 160 and 84 (on the east side of town).
Obviously at this point, there is no certainty that this actual venture will come to fruition. It remains in the tentative period. But as a big box store will probably arrive someday, it is worth thinking about the consequences.
The current location under evaluation could certainly bring about an economic shift in the direction of the "core area" on the west side of town and away from downtown. The recent demise of our downtown grocery store and one of the banks may make the downtown area a bit more vulnerable. Simultaneously, the planned site may well help the developing core area. Such a positioning would also serve to impel additional traffic through downtown and up Putt Hill.
Historic downtown will always retain the durable and unique attractions of the hot springs themselves, along with the accommodations, shops, eateries and additional services situated in the vicinity. It has the river walk, post office, parks, and nearby fair grounds. There is no reason for downtown to fade away, merely because another attraction is three miles away. We are discussing a 6 minute drive, after all. Visitors taking lodging downtown will most likely take even more trips up Putt Hill to go to see a Big Box retailer, and as a consequence get additional exposure to the many shops, dinning establishments and other businesses along the way. If Pagosa Springs attracts a big discount merchant, we could look forward to a great deal of consumers flowing in from as far away as Chama. (Just as scores of Pagosans now journey to Durango for their discount shopping.)If their destination is on the furthest side of town, these customers will end up traversing all through very nearly our entire economic area. This will boost their exposure to the many small shops and restaurants along the way.
If it turns out that the county doesn't create unwarranted tax concessions to appeal to a Big Box store, the extra income from local consumers remaining in town, other buyers coming in from additional communities, and the bigger property tax income would be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The construction by itself would contribute many jobs in the short run, mainly in the construction trades, which have been exceptionally hard hit. While Wal-Mart is not famous for providing high-paying jobs with excellent benefits, unfortunately, neither are small-town locally-owned enterprises. Supplementary revenue and tax dollars makes it feasible to better finance our area services and infrastructure, which consequently improves real estate values.
Please drop in on the site about
Pagosa Springs homes for sale
The bottom line is that the building of a Big Box store will most likely have a positive effect on homes and real estate prices. Whether the particular site benefits your particular house or organization will most likely depend primarily on the kind of home or business in question. Lower income home owners and renters may well be especially delighted to enjoy effortless access to a major discount store. Likewise, business owners that cater to a clientele like Wal-Mart's might thrive by being located inside or close to the Big Box complex. Establishments that pursue higher-income clients will discover they are better positioned in the more expensive areas of town, surrounded by others who share their consumer base. There's no reason why this need conflict with the development of a large-format store at the projected location.