Alternative 1 (the tight diamond) from the March meeting is the winner. I still think the SPUI would have been a much better choice for this interchange, even though it was slightly more expensive. I predict MVRPC will be back in 20 years begging ODOT for money to convert it into a SPUI.
Also looking at the handout, Factory will definitely bridge over the bike path as well. I hadn't been sure about this point in March, but the plans clearly indicate a bridge at this point.
The only other thing which concerns me about the Recommended Alternative is that the plans seem to indicate the interchange will be built directly over the current at-grade intersection. If true, this is a bigger mistake than not choosing the SPUI. The interchange needs to be built just west of the current intersection to minimize traffic disruptions on both Factory and 35, similar to how the North Fairfield Road interchange was built.
Reviewing attendee comments from the March meeting, opinion seemed evenly split between the two alternatives. There seemed to be more interest in realigning the north end of Factory to the Dayton-Xenia Road/Beaver Valley Road intersection than about this project. The comments from the June meeting continue the drumbeat of interest in realigning Factory north of the proposed interchange, and just maybe ODOT should combine both projects if they can swing the funds.
An article in the June 8th, 2005 edition of the Dayton Daily News concerning planned changes to a large upscale strip mall in Kettering mentions in the last paragraphs that the mall's owner also owns land at the intersection of US 35 and Factory Road. His stated intent is to eventually build a similar facility there. Beavercreek city officials contacted by the newspaper reported that they talked with him concerning his land (very probably in relation to the Factory Road and Shakertown Road proposals outlined above) but were "not sure where he stood."
I know where he stands. He stands in the way.
First off, let's look at the land that's going to be required to modify the road network at 35 and Factory. You're looking at new rights of way for Shakertown Road, Alpha-Bellbrook Road, an exit ramp from 35 eastbound, not to mention the amount of land that will be required by a bridge over 35. The Recommended Alternative for this project basically chews up half the available land in this parcel. What's left is much better suited for a large convenience store -- preferably one of the stores currently at 35 and Orchard.
Then there's the problem of retail development in Beavercreek, which is dominated by the Mall at Fairfield Commons and its outlying strip malls. Add to that the new mall being built at I-675 and Indian Ripple Road (which wasn't a good idea from the standpoint of project financing and the local road network, but I digress), and by 2006 all the air will be sucked out of future large-scale retail development in Beavercreek. There's also lots of already-built and vacant retail space elsewhere in Beavercreek at more accessible locations not due for major highway reconstruction within the next ten years (the small strip mall at the North Fairfield Road interchange springs immediately to mind). In short, an upscale strip mall is the worst possible thing you could build at 35 and Factory.