Smarter Neighbors

You can’t help but notice the irony of this NIMBY situation in Fife.

If seems that as part of the state’s plan to build additional HOV lanes on I5 in Fife, the state will also construct a 24 foot high noise barrier along the freeway. But look whose trying to get in the way of progress - the Fife businesses along I-5 whose businesses would be shielded by that wall.

Of course this soundproofing will increase the rental value and quality of life for those renters living in apartments which will then be hidden behind this wall - but it will also probably wipe out much of the marketing value of being located next to I5 provides to Fife businesses.

The News Tribune writes about the story, and there are some quotes I found to be interesting.

“Your first visibility of Pierce County is going to be this ugly 24-foot wall that will be covered with graffiti,” McCann said.

Actually, the first visibility of Pierce County are those huge electronic billboards on either side of the highway trying to get me to refi my home and buy a huge truck. 

“I’ll lose the business that will be driving by,” McCann said.

The wall also would drive down the value of her property where she sells Cadillac, Saab and Hummer vehicles, making it “worthless to us for what we paid for it,” McCann said.”

Try using the ‘reducing property value’ argument against a megahouse or a huge townhouse being built next door next door in Seattle. First, you’ll be branded a NIMBY and second, the Seattle Hearing Examiner won’t even accept that argument.

Scenic Fife