After Ocala-News.com reported that a new BJ’s Wholesale Club is coming to Ocala, several residents wrote in to share their opinions about the matter. Here are a few of those letters:
“I understand that people are moving to Ocala, that’s good. We relocated in 2005 and love it here. The problem is, We can hardly get out of our neighborhood. Fore ranch in SW Ocala is surrounded by apartment complexes, on all sides. We’ve requested a light/traffice study for our exit to SW 60th Avenue. No one responds. Coming out 38th by Sam’s Club ruins your car. The roads are in disrepair. Before you approve another home or apartment, fix the roads. Now we have BJ’s and 1,700 more homes being built in the neighborhood. We don’t have enough doctors, nurses or teachers. Speaking of teachers, let’s pay them a living wage. There’s not enough support staff in Doctors offices to handle the influx of people.” – Donna Rodriquez, Ocala
“Basically, west of I-75 there are not many large retail centers besides Heathbrook and Sam’s Club, Walmart. Other than that, there are tire places, car washes and fast food. State Road 200 is visually unattractive. Whatever stores we do have get crowded. Also, with so much new development, we certainly need more stores but other than tire, car wash and fast food, there is no retail around State Road 200 going west for miles on end. Retailers need to target their market and build retail and restaurants, etc., out this way. Also, Marion County doesn’t seem to do much to make this area attractive or safe. No street lights for miles in commercial areas. This area needs to be spruce up quite a bit.” – Carole McCloskey, Ocala…