By Bobby Tingle

 

Martin Luther King Junior Drive intersects with Interstate 10 where new construction is underway. First State Bank will soon occupy the new building going up on the South East corner of the intersection.

Will this corner turn out to be the intersection where preparation meets opportunity resulting in success for this bank?

Frankly, I hope so.

Looking west from the south side of the intersection two buildings sit dormant. On the North West corner is an unfinished structure representing a controversial memorial. A convenience store conducts business on the North East corner.

Further west at Highway 62 you will generally find a hustle bustle of activity. The most recent addition to the corner is Blue Beacon Truck Wash, which has only been open a few months.

Going east are several established businesses; the American Red Cross, Holiday Inn, Modica Brothers and The Horseman’s Store are on the south frontage road while Child’s Building Supply, Tractor Supply, Hampton Inn and Cecil Atkission Toyota occupy the north frontage road. There are others, but you get the idea.

New Cecil Atkission Toyota General Manger Shahim Salehoun has high expectations. He perceives his location and popular brand of automobile a unique formula for successfully capturing a greater share of the auto sales market.

Frankly, I hope he succeeds.

The state of Texas is currently renovating and updating Interstate 10 in this stretch from Hwy. 62 to the Texas and Louisiana border. When completed, it appears exit and entry ramps will be improved resulting in easier access to frontage roads for motorists. Roughly in front of Hampton Inn appears to be an underpass designed for U-turns improving movement from north to south and vice versa.

This stretch of Interstate is uniquely Orange turf, ripe for growth and development.

Is First State Bank counting on it?

Holiday Inn and Suites General Manager Jack Patel pointed out a unique feature to Texas interstates, frontage roads. According to Patel, the state of Texas builds frontage roads along interstates, a feature not found in all fifty states.

Development along frontage roads provide ready-made access for motorists to restaurants, coffee shops, hotels and fuel stops located along the way. Why not banking, automobiles, building supplies and western wear?

There is plenty of room for growth and development. Vacant lots and empty buildings abound.

What if the new bank at the corner of MLK and Interstate 10 transforms the corner, spreading prosperity a few blocks up in all directions?

Who will eventually seize the turf on the South East corner of 16^th Street and Interstate 10?

Only time will tell the answers.

Frankly, I hope those corners get a little more congested soon.

 

Bobby Tingle is publisher of The Orange Leader. You can reach him at bobby.tingle@orangeleader.com.