DOTHAN, Ala.— New businesses popping up on the west side of town could cause more traffic for neighborhoods.
While growth is good for the city of Dothan, some residents are not happy about having to adapt.
“Every time some development happens, it’s harder for us to get out of this particular neighborhood because we used to be able to pull out on 231 and go both directions,” resident Liz Oliff said. “It takes me an extra 10 minutes to get out of my neighborhood to go north.”
A new Taco Bell is under construction on Montgomery Highway. The new fast food joint will share its backyard with a west side neighborhood.
Oliff has lived in the neighborhood for 18 years.
She said while certain businesses are convenient, traffic continues to get worse.
“Now, it’s just like development all over the place, and it’s harder on us because they haven’t taken into consideration our particular neighborhood very much even though we’re right on the 231,” Oliff said.
Some of the residents whose homes border the new business say they are getting curtains on their windows for the first time in 40 years.
But while some residents are experiencing growing pains, the city says the growth is a positive thing.
“Hopefully additional sales tax and opportunities and options for our citizens to in this case eat,” said Dothan District Six Commissioner David Crutchfield. “Luckily, in this community as we’re having growth, we’re not having one new business start, and one shut down. I think we’re having a lot more start than we have close, which is very positive.”
Montgomery Highway isn’t the only growing spot in town.
Clearings can also be seen on Highway 84 where more businesses and apartment buildings are expected to be built.
The city has not yet announced a date of completion for the construction.
