Route 32 in Central Valley is experiencing growing pains.
Â
The state Department of Transportation”™s roadway improvement to the interchange of Route 32 and Smith Clove Road in Central Valley has received a volley of complaints, but now businesses and residents are getting the winter off.
“We have the majority of underground utility work done now,” said Sandra Jobson, spokeswoman for the DOT. “We realized that many people felt inconvenienced but in the end, we think they”™re going to be extremely pleased with the result.”
Because working with electricity, gas and water pipes can be a risky business, construction took place during the daylight hours ”“ much to the displeasure of businesses that complained about losing customers.
Spring should find dealing with DOT delays much easier, with most of the work focused on completing roadwork and putting in striping and those necessary turning lanes.
The $5.3 million job may have left many grumbling, but come next summer driving should be easier for everyone on the heavily traveled state road.
Â
No miracles, just real estate
The Ford Dealership on Route 17M is for sale.
Â
This Ford dealership on Monroe”™s Route 17M once enticed the public by telling them to “Expect Miracles.” Now, Prudential Rand is marketing the property for $8 million.
After Tony Bruce Jr. whittled away his father”™s legacy, all that was left was bankruptcy court and auctioneers selling whatever wasn”™t carted off. Now, all the 43,000-square-foot showroom and service center needs is a dedicated buyer. The property has enough space to accommodate 550 cars. The possibilities are endless, and the sellers are anxious. At $12 per foot triple net, municipal water and sewer and high visibility, it might make the perfect spot for a town recreation hall or library. You never know ”“ it may turn out to be a miracle after all!
Â
… and speaking of miracles
Consumers may not be seeing price drops in food or clothing, and tolls may be going up, but the gas companies got the message: Keep raising the prices and people will start driving less.
From a high of almost $4.50 a gallon for regular in the summer of 2008, this was the lowest price Vines saw in the mid-Hudson the first week of January 2009. For those close enough to scoot over the New Jersey border, it”™s $1.52 for regular ”“ almost “normal” ”“whatever that is.
If it worked with the fuel companies, think this might do the trick with other industries that have overpriced and shrunk down their packaging in the process? Has anyone else noticed the half-gallon of orange juice has the same design on the carton but five fewer ounces ”“ down to 59 from 64?
