Letter: Downtown justice center makes sense

I am a former resident of Meeker and have family that still resides in Meeker. I want to give my opinion of the future of the Meeker Elementary School site. I believe Meeker should think hard about the site of the justice center. I feel that you would see a decrease in activity, revenue and downtown would be less visited if the justice center was put in another location.
I have been working in the downtown Greeley area for several years and have seen a change in my clientele due to the jail and sheriff’s offices having to move from the downtown location. I am a barber and when people had to appear in court for whatever reason, I would see many people going to court, supporting their loved ones, attorneys and citizens. I know they had to move the Greeley judicial system up north of town, but it hurt the downtown businesses immensely.
You need to think about the people going to court. They may purchase a cup of coffee, lunch, gasoline, have time to spare and go shopping in one of the local stores while waiting for court. They may buy a gift, flowers or even use the post office. If you build outside of town, this will be lost, businesses will lose consumers and income.
I love coming to Meeker to visit my friends and family and hope that none of the businesses have to close due to this decision. Please think about it.
Raeanne Meeker
Kersey