Proposal for local Best Buy faces community concerns

Best Buy, the nation's top electronics retailer, may face many obstacles before coming to Bloomington. \nAs a result of the community's negative response, Best Buy's two- year effort to build a store in Bloomington is being put on hold. The construction of Best Buy raised community concerns regarding traffic problems and the possible relocation of many local businesses.\n"We have had several complaints about access drives, road layout and the building site," Pat Shay, development manager for the city of Bloomington said. "The planning committee is doing everything in their power to ensure everyone's happiness."\nBest Buy is requesting a location near South Williamsburg Drive, just west of Barnes & Noble and between Arby's and St. Mark's United Methodist Church, at 30,000 square feet. If constructed, Best Buy would replace Bloomington Auto Tech and small plaza home to Sunshine Travel, Beijing Chinese Restaurant, Monarch Salon and Deckard Insurance. While the stores in the plaza will all be removed, Autotech is working with the planning commission for a relocation plan. \nShay said that if Best Buy is approved at the next city council meeting on Mar. 10, the Bloomington Plan Commission will have to decide whether to construct new connecting roadways to combat traffic. \n"Best Buy triggers the construction of much needed roads to ease traffic on Third Street and College Mall Road," Shay said. \nThe possible solutions to the traffic problems include the extension of Longview Drive, a road that directly connects Pete Ellis Drive to 45/46.\nDespite community concerns, Steve Brehob, project manager for Smith Neubecker and Associates, said Best Buy is generally successful in college towns, and he is sure the Bloomington market is strong enough to make Best Buy successful.\n"Best Buy is a national retailer that did not have a store remotely close to Bloomington," Brehob said. "We fully anticipate the plan will be approved at the next meeting."\nSophomore Lauren Staggs said having a Best Buy in Bloomington will be convenient for students who frequently have computer problems or need last minute items.\n"Best Buy has low prices on anything a college student wants," Staggs said. "I'm sure Best Buy will survive in Bloomington because overall, it is a strong market industry."\nBrehob said if Best Buy is approved at the next planning commission meeting scheduled for Mar. 10, they expect it to be open by early October.\n"The problem was never about Best Buy's presence in Bloomington," Brehob said. "Putting together all parties and landowners has been an ongoing challenge"