Our View

Our View

BRX brings county business opportunities

Despite the perception that this Big River Crossing is all about West Memphis, let’s be clear and say despite all the hype this city has given to this eco-tourism project, they’re not the only entity taking advantage of the potential economic opportunities on this side of the Mississippi River.

At this point West Memphis government bureaucrats and politicians have thoroughly enjoyed spending tens of thousands of public dollars on everything from paved bicycle trails to miles of fencing leading into their city from East Broadway.

More public money is earmarked for a so-called “ecopark” on the Arkansas side of the Big River Crossing, wide-eyed optimists say will lure bicycling tourists to West Memphis where they are hoping will spend their disposable income at local restaurants and retail stores. Meanwhile, private opportunists in nearby Marion are jumping on the band wagon hoping to lure some of the estimated 128,000 cyclists and hikers who have crossed the river crossing on the Harahan Bridge since its completion in October to their businesses, motels and restaurants.

For instance, Tacker’s Shack on Military Road has put out flyers at bike shops across the mid-south to encourage bicyclists to peddle to Marion for some good food in the nostalgic Americana diner.

Such a promotion is proving to be highly successful, says Jeff Tacker, who said the promotion by the enterprising entrepreneur is paying off. We’re told Marion officials are also encouraging creative ways to lure these tourists to not only local businesses but also to visit the city’s historic venues such as the Sultana Museum as well as take part in community events such as Esperanza Bonanza.

Such encouragement from open-minded governmental leaders in Marion seems to have been absent in West Memphis where some potential investors say they are being hampered by city codes, regulations, restrictions and rules they claim are discouraging and preventing them from taking advantage of the opportunities.

Local businessman Cham Percer says he has made several attempts to work with West Memphis bureaucrats on making use of his two parcels along East Broadway that cyclists ride past, but says he’s been repeatedly pushed back over zoning and building regulations.

It has also become apparent that city zoning regulators are opposed to a food truck concept that is very popular in other major cities, claiming such food vendors would harm existing brick and mortar establishments, a fear that has certainly been dispelled in cities where food truck courts and existing food establishments co-exist in perfect harmony.

Percer, who wants to offer simple hot dog lunches and limited beverages, has property just north of the Big River Crossing but the installation of a trail fence is prohibiting access to his road. Percer says the road has been there since “logging days” and says West Memphis City Planner Paul Luker “shrugged off” his complaint and said there is no way for him to open it up.

It is apparent that West Memphis officials seem to be of the opinion that major investors will soon be knocking at their door willing to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars of their money along East Broadway in anticipation of these cyclists making their investments a success.

With that presumptuous thinking it would be interesting to know at this stage of the development just exactly how many major franchise owners or investors have flocked to city hall willing to gamble on such a venture. It is likely very few if any whatsoever.