Mayor Pro Tem B. Mark Neal: Not well at all. The border crossing should be a major economic generator for the Blue Water Area.
Councilmember Tim McCulloch: There has never been a real effort to keep the bridge traffic from driving through our community. An international bridge cannot be found in every community.
Councilmember Sally Jacobs: I would say we probably don't, largely because of traffic and access issues. I think it is an area where we should work with the county to promote and also continue to work with MDOT to provide better access to Port Huron and the surrounding townships to take advantage of this truck/trade traffic, and get them to stop, rest, eat, and fuel up here.
Candidate and former Council Member Jim Relken: EDA has worked hard for years to attract new business. I think every effort has been made to do a superb job!
Candidate Mark Byrne: Not very well at all. Growing up in Wayne County, we never crossed at the Blue Water Bridge when going to Toronto. Port Huron should team up with Sarnia on fireworks, same-day travel to Wings games in Toronto return to Port Huron, etc.
Candidate Al Wright: Very poorly. St. Clair County should be a destination for travelers (vehicle passengers or trucks). A destination could be as simple as acquiring gas, food, or overnight sleeping accommodations. A positive on the new corridor is a Lapeer Road exit.

Neal: As a current councilmember, we have made it a top priority with MDOT that acces to Pine Grove and downtown is a must. They are addressing our concerns in the City West alternative.
McCulloch: This has always been a priority of the current City Council. It is important that people using the bridge have the ability to access our downtown. Communication is key to ensuring that MDOT realizes the importance of having such access.
Jacobs: The current council, city manager, and engineer have been working with MDOT on a better access route into the City of Port Huron, which is where the current preferred alternative came in. It is also important at this point to continue to work with them to develop the safest north/south route.
Relken: [The] plans currently improve traffic to downtown Port Huron. Would explore all other alterntaives.
Byrne: I would encourage MDOT to have a separate lane for Port Huron traffic. This would be compensation for their use of eminent domain. A separate lane for local traffic on both sides would encourage more travelers to visit the area.
Wright: I will meet with MDOT at any time or place in a positive attitude to get as many user friendly exits as possible.

Neal: Jobs! Attracting and maintaining jobs for our young people. Keeping them in our community is vital for the growth of our area.
McCulloch: The economy in Michigan has been experiencing a major overhaul. The manufacturing jobs that once existed have decreased. It is important that our County stays on the cutting edge. We need to ensure that our workforce is well-educated and ready to work in the new “knowledge based” economy.
Jacobs: Unemployment. As much as we need to keep the costs associated with the Bridge Plaza down, I believe we need to encourage hiring local people when possible. These people will be the individuals who have the disposable income to put back into our city and local businesses.
Relken: Lack of high paying jobs, and poor management of the State of Michigan (high taxes, waste, & failure of elected officials to manage our state)
Byrne: The declining U.S dollar will make border towns more attractive for Canadian shopping. We need to make sure we capture this economic opportunity. In addition, baby boomers in California and other high cost places may look for lower cost areas to retire. St. Clair County needs to appeal to these people and the services they want.
Wright: Possible, friendly cooperation between all powers representing all forms of government.

Neal: I think with a well designed Plaza, an opportunity to revitalize the area north of the Bridge could be realized. I feel the properties are underutilized.
McCulloch: The area surrounding the bridge plaza could be revitalized. As much as we have been voicing our concerns about the bridge plaza expansion, it would allow the opportunity to create new commercial opportunities around the bridge plaza.
Jacobs: Yes, I think we need to take this opportunity to improve existing problems and take advantage of the publicity this expansion project has brought about. I believe they will want to make this a model project and in working with them I hope we can make this an attraction. It's coming, so we better try to get as many concessions as we can and work to attract businesses around it: restaurants, gas stations, etc.
Relken: Expand a major growth industry: tourism. Yes, a bridge plaza expansion would help.
Byrne: The Bridge does bring jobs. If designed with a better Duty Free store and an exit lane for local traffic, the Bridge Plaza will increase traffic to downtown and other local stores and restaurants. A major truck stop outside Port Huron will also add jobs and trucks going between Canada and Mexico will stop.
Wright: The Blue Water Area should be a destination for travelers whether as a 15 minute stop or a weekend getaway or longer. Look at all the needs of the traveler and apply business accordingly.

Neal: Aesthetics - how MDOT can make the Plaza look like a prison! Can they buffer the Plaza with commercial development?
McCulloch: A major challenge that will have to be overcome is the loss of tax base. It is important to make MDOT and federal officials aware of how this will affect our community. Also, I think that traffic flow and detours will be an issue throughout the construction period. People will find it difficult to get from one end of town to the other.
Jacobs: The hardship the city faces from a loss of tax base will be difficult to say the least. I also have concerns for the residents left in the surrounding area around the Bridge Plaza (they are the ones no one is talking about.) They will have to deal with noise, pollution, and safety concerns. I think we need to start working to make sure their needs are met (and safety issues met.) We need to make sure the impact of this Plaza is lessened for them.
Relken: Typical traffic & construction issues. Loss of significante tax base due to land purchases by State Department of Transportation.
Byrne: Loss of tax base, jobs, residents, and stores along with pollution are all problems the new Plaza brings. In addition, construction will cause major problems traveling between the South side and the North side of the area.
Wright: Isolating Port Huron in half, especially the downtown area from the North End - Fort Gratiot.

Neal: It is important that the whole process concludes as soon as possible. Living with the unknown is unfair to homeowners, business owners, property owners, and the entire area. Let's make a decision so people can adjust their lives.
McCulloch: We need to continue to have our voices heard throughout the remaining stages of this project. It is important that the townships, St. Clair County, and Marysville unite with Port Huron about the impact this project will have on our region. I believe that a decision needs to be made so that our community can move towards a resolution on the project.
Jacobs: We all know this project is coming. It is key to work together to make this a positive for the City and the residents as much as we can. Consessions, design, access, appearance, and impact are issues we can address to make this a win/win situation. We can't roll over and let them take over, but we can't continue to fight it, either. At some point we have to all get together (city, county, townships) and work together with the "Plaza Parties" to make this a "Positive" for Port Huron.
Relken: Our area - St. Clair County - has tremendous potential for growth.
Byrne: I do not believe the expansion is needed, as making one small spot on the border secure while leaving the rest open does very little. I also believe this is a done deal and we need to make the most of it. The only thing that could stop it would be a Presidential candidate who opposes it winning the election. That candidate, Ron Paul, is gaining momentum but is still not the favorite to win.
Wright: The challenge is to change this negative into as many positives as possible.