Pittsboro Place: We’ll take it

A crowd of protesters crowded Town Hall in Pittsboro Monday night to speak out against Pittsboro Place, the proposed 1.3 million-square-feet mega-mall and residential area that would provide an economic jolt to the growing Chatham County town.

The protesters were heard loud and clear, and in the end the Town Board voted to approve half of the proposed development, allowing for much of the commercial property but nixing much of the residential plans.

According to Tuesday’s story in The Herald, the development’s director, Bill Jackson, was somewhat OK with the decision, saying he was ready to get started. But before he does so … I’d like to ask him to consider Sanford.

Unlike Pittsboro, I think Sanford is capable of supporting this proposed retail monster. If it were to go up along U.S. 1 (say … the area where 1 will meet the upcoming 421 Bypass), then you would get shoppers from Raleigh, Southern Pines, Fayetteville AND Pittsboro if it offers what people can’t get nearby.

Think about it … the current location in Pittsboro is less than 20 minutes from South Point, the large mall/movie theater/food court located on the southern end of Durham. My wife and I drive to South Point because of Nordstrom and the Apple iStore there, and that’s a half hour for us.

I understand Pittsboro residents’ concerns, and I’m not faulting them for standing up for what they believe in. They want to preserve the town’s small-town atmosphere. I think Sanford wants the same, but if you’re already tearing down land for a shiny new bypass, why not make it a little more worth the trouble.

I’m sure there are flaws in my plan. But as a Sanford resident, I would love to have access to a mall where I don’t have to drive a half-hour to get there. I’m sure Pittsboro residents want the same thing … they’d just rather it be 15 minutes away and not in their backyards.