City is moving forward

By the Journal Editorial Board | Thursday, October 16, 2008

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The Rapid City retail scene has undergone dramatic change recently.

The Rushmore Crossing strip mall opened early in October. Petco, Target, T.J. Maxx and several other retailers were greeted by a stream people taking advantage of opening bargains and new retail opportunities. And Cabelas opened not long ago other large retailers have plans for growth in the city.

But while the city is enjoying the growth and the accompanying jobs and taxes it brings, other less desirous consequences have surfaced.

Most shoppers would agree they’re happy to have a new Target in Rapid City.

But when that anchor left the mall, the loss of the foot traffic could spell disaster to many of the small businesses that operated near the Target wing. Those folks are worried, and rightly so.

And near Cabelas, Gateway development is rethinking its design plans. One option is developing several smaller businesses in the Cabelas area, as the larger outlets have eluded to the notion that they would be looking elsewhere.

And another major project changed this week — the Rushmont, a proposed multi-story office/parking structure slated for the downtown area — was officially ended. That project would have provided much more than additional parking spaces, it would have provided additional traffic and people who would have been customers for the downtown area.

This is a vibrant, changing time in the growth of Rapid City, and yet it’s still one of the city’s most prosperous.

We’re wise, as a city, to continue to embrace and encourage new development. In some cases, like the relocation of Target, that development can spell disaster for other retailers and yet, ultimately it serves the city well.

The last thing we want to see is small retail lost in the wake of major changes in the city’s retail landscape. We hope they can adjust and remain successful and profitable.

In the meantime, continuing to promote the growth of Rapid City and the city’s downtown area is imperative to long-term success.

The natural ebb and flow of growth and development will continue, and continue to have consequences, but we are still moving forward in a positive fashion.