The City of Chelsea is preparing for its growing population, which is expected to double in size by 2025. Last week, the City Council passed a plan to prepare for what's to come.
Old Town Chelsea still stands in the heart of downtown. Meanwhile, there's an influx of new retail space and other businesses along Highway 280. Existing businesses wonder what's to come with the growth.
"Hopefully it will increase business with increased customers. Obviously there will be some competition - but we plan to stay here for a long time," says Chip Coman, Owner of Zone One Video Games.
A Town Center is on the way, which will be situated in vacant fields along 280, where traffic is often thick between Chelsea and Birmingham. The idea is to keep shopping local, and alleviate some of that traffic. More green space, restaurants, and recreational facilities will come to town. All of this will come in due time. The schedule of growth is still being worked out. City leaders promise to preserve the small town feel Chelsea offers it's residents.
The added tax revenue will be used to staff more city employees, and beef up police, fire and rescue. The comprehensive growth plan has taken several months to compile. While it's still early in the planning stage. The majority of the plan won't be complete for several years.
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