Macey's move to Providence nourishes town's commercial boom

By Megan Maughan Roe

December 13, 2004 | PROVIDENCE -- Macey's, a couple of fast-food restaurants, retail stores and new housing developments are making growth a hot topic in Providence.

City Manager Vern Keeslar said because the restaurants haven't been announced yet, he couldn't name them, but they are "more catered toward fast food." These restaurants, as well as two retail stores will be in a 10,000 square foot commercial building at Spring Creek Development, just west of the Iron Gate Grill.

"It attracts people to Providence," Keeslar said.

Providence resident Christine Wiebe is happy about the new commercial developments for that very reason.

"I just don't happen to be a small-town person," Wiebe said. She is also happy about Macey's coming to Providence. She said she will shop at Macey's more often once it is in the city. Though Macey's is only moving a block, Wiebe believes more people will shop at the store when it moves.

"The key thing will be not having to cross that busy street," Wiebe said. "People on this end of the valley are going to use it more."

Mayor Alma Leonhardt said he was "thrilled" when he found out Macey's was moving to Providence because of the store's small-town atmosphere.

"It's exciting because Macey's is the type of store that's part of your town," Leonhardt said. "It's kind of a hometown atmosphere, not like a Wal-Mart or Target."

Leonhardt said Providence will benefit from having Macey's because of the tax advantage. He said the city gets one cent of every dollar of taxes for that building.

"It's a big plus as far as your tax base," Leonhardt said. "We'll receive more than $100,000 from taxes directly each year."

Keeslar said there are three reasons why Macey's will be a benefit to Providence. First, it will provide basic services for the residents of Providence. Second, because of the money the city will get from having Macey's, resident's taxes won't rise. Third, Keeslar said people from the south end of the valley won't have to travel as far to shop at Macey's. He said this would help the air quality in Cache Valley.

Leonhardt said many of Macey's workers are from Providence and most of Providence's citizens shop there.

"I would say 80 percent of the people in Providence shop at Macey's," Leonhardt said.

Providence citizen Tom Richards said he's happy about the new commercial developments in Providence because it draws a lot of people to shop and eat in the area. He believes this will help local taxes go down.

One thing Richards said he is worried about is the development of more homes and the annexation of more land into Providence. On Nov. 18, 2004, The Millville City council voted to adjust the boundary between Providence and Millville at the request of CELCO Incorporated. CELCO owns the 135 acres that Providence acquired. Imagine Development, wants to develop the land. Rollercoaster tycoon and Providence resident Stan Checketts is also trying to annex 220 acres on the northeast boundary of Providence. He has plans to develop part of that land if it is annexed in.

Richards said this is a problem.

"I think Providence ought to leave the city the size it already is," Richards said. "The more homes we add, the more service the city needs to produce."

Richards said he's worried the city won't be able to take care of more acreage and homes. He said he is also worried about not having enough water to supply more homes.

Keeslar said he believes many residents are concerned about how fast residential growth is taking place.

"People wonder if we have enough municipal services," Keeslar said. "Water is always a big issue."

Though many Providence citizens are worried about more homes in the area, Wiebe said she believes more home development is a good thing.

"I'm for it," Wiebe said. "I just think it brings more business into Providence."

NW
MS