Davis Lake Community Association

Davis Commons (formerly known as Mill Creek Apartments)

Letter to the Editor --- University Neighbors

The news report in Sunday's University Neighbors edition was misleading
and we feel that a correction should be published in the next issue .

Neither the Derita-Statesville Road Community Org, nor the NorthEast Coalition
oppose the future IKEA store or the business and job opportunities that it will
bring into our Community.

What we question, is the wisdom of continued rezonings for more dense development
and high-traffic business ventures --- while little is being done to improve our local roads
and infrastructure.

The only improvements we see are in the immediate vicinity of the IKEA store. On
the very face of it, the I-85 parallel road is designed "to open" even more acreage
for additional new stores --- while nothing, I repeat, Nothing is being done to head off
the daily gridlock on WT Harris, I-85, and community thoroughfares.

Our objection is that City Council, University City Partners, CDOT and NCDOT have
decided to "grab for the golden ring" of profits without providing the maintenance and
upgrades that are needed to keep the merry-go-round turning.

The article published is misleading. By saying that we oppose the new IKEA, your
story attempts to put our two groups (DSRCO and NEC) at odds with some of the
neighbors we represent. You quote them as saying they WANT the new IKEA store.
So do we.

Why did your reporter not ask these same people if they wanted to see area roads
improved as a part of the package? I am sure they would. That's what our two groups
requested at the public forum.

Before we add to the current traffic congestion, we want a firm commitment from
City Council that they will begin to address the situation that already exists.

Sincerely,

Bernie Samonds
President, Derita-Statesville Rd. Community Org.
deritarep@aol.com New Phone: (704) 806-3813