Letter to the editor: Timing everything for trail extension in Export

I appreciated the editorial “Businesses and trails should be partners, not rivals” (June 15, TribLIVE). As a business owner and member of the Export Business Group, I see daily the value of the Westmoreland Heritage Trail as a recreational asset and as an opportunity to connect new customers to the businesses here in the community.

I would like to clarify that the concern shared at an Export Borough Council meeting regarding the loss of 11 parking spaces leaves out an important aspect of the timing of the proposed trail extension. As proposed, the additional 750-foot extension will immediately remove the 50-60 currently available paved parking spots. The net loss of 11 spots from the lot is dependent on government funding being secured, engineering, a bid process and construction of the new lot, which will take years.

These last two years have been challenging for business owners, but we are coming back. All we ask is that we not impede our comeback in our community and the significant contributions we make to our local economy. Please hold off on this trail extension until after we can secure the funding necessary to make the trail, and a business-friendly district, a reality.

Anthony P. DeCesare

Export

The writer is owner of Jigger’s Pub and president of the Export Business Group.