Local News
The Bonhamline
By Mike Walthall
May 11, 2008

This is part four in a five-part series of articles reviewing the Bonham Comprehensive Plan Survey results conducted in March 2008. 

The fifth of nine questions on the survey was, “What specific types of new businesses or services would you like to have in the City? 

I grouped the responses into categories for easier presentation. 

The first group is Restaurants and/or Food Establishments.  There were 28 specific chain restaurants and fast foods named, from Applebee’s to Whataburger.  All are currently in Sherman, Denison, and McKinney, so most of you know all the names; therefore, I won’t list them here to save space.  Also, there were general types wanted, including upscale/quality restaurants, a 24-hour restaurant, deli, bakery, coffee shops, a family restaurant, more fast foods, a sports bar, major cafeteria, more restaurants, and restaurants that don’t serve alcohol.

The next category was Large Department Stores, of which eleven major chains were listed including a large sporting goods store.  They were, in alphabetical order (not is order of preference), Beall’s, Dillard’s, Home Depot, JC Penney, K-mart, Kohl’s, Lowe’s, Office Depot, Sears, and Target.

Retail Stores and Services included (listed in alpha order) 5 & 10-cent store, antique shopping area, Big Lots, clothing stores, computer sales and service/internet related, CVS Pharmacy, Dana Halls (?), dry cleaners, electronics, farmers market, full-service car wash, Harley shop, Kinko’s, Kroger, liquor store, men and women’s apparel, mom and pop stores, more retail on square, more tourist shops, Petsmart or other pet store, plant and tree nursery, Radio Shack, Ebby Holliday Realtors, sewing and alterations, shoe repair, shoe stores, small grocery, taxi service, tractor/AG dealership, Walgreen’s; and, a few mentioned that we should use the 2006 Buxton Study to solicit retail.

The next category was Entertainment, Lodging, and Tourism.  Again in alpha order, the list included an arcade, boat races at Lake Bonham, bowling alley, Eco tourism, family entertainment center for kids, game room, Girls/Boys Clubs, gyms and exercise places, Harley Bike Show, hotel(s) with conference facilities, inside walking area, library open in the evenings and weekends, live theatre, local talent shows, miniature golf, motels, museum at airport, rock climbing, skate center, symphony, vote wet (alcohol), water park, weekly music shows, WiFi Internet, and a YMCA.

Education included better schools, community college or university presence, instructional daycare centers, new high school, and a private school.

Request for City or Government Services included an animal shelter, Code Enforcement, curbside recycling, free collection site for trees, limbs, and leaves (convert to mulch), furnish trash containers, more help for poor people, periodic clean up days, and a recycling program.

Industrial, Manufacturing, and Job Creation included an active Industrial Foundation, automotive assembly plant, call center, computer assembly plant, coupon redemption center, daily paper, distribution centers, food processing, gas fired electric plant, General Cable, install natural gas west of 121, light Industry, light manufacturing, new prison, oilfield services, rail service, recycling batch plant, sewing machine manufacturing, services to attract younger-college educated professionals, stimulant package for industry, technology companies, and warehousing facilities.

Medical concerns included the wants for a 4-hour medical clinic, better medical hospital, holistic medicine, maternity services, mental health clinic, Obstetrician/Pediatric Care, and a Psychiatric Clinic.

Housing included housing for poor people and an Independent Retirement Village.

Next week will conclude the “five-parter” (I hope).  It might take an extra one though.  The results are longer than I anticipated, but the remaining four questions are mainly lists in priority order of wants or needs.