Opponents of a Carolina Vista roundabout are concerned that the project has proceeded with little local input, particularly from longtime residents. They know the street's history and reject the idea that this project is good for Pinehurst for these reasons:

1. Historic: The Federal Landmark District, the first such in the nation for a golf resort, was intended to preserve and protect the best of Pinehurst.

It honors James Tufts and Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed the village, and recognizes lifelong contributions of Leonard and Richard Tufts who honored Olmsted's plans, including Carolina Vista, one of its signature streets.

The state's own preservation experts agree the DOT plan is flawed.

2. Environmental: The DOT plan results in destruction of too many mature pines. To be safe at night, the roundabout will have to be brightly lit, bringing a Las Vegas brightness to a village that prefers it to look just "as it has for over 100 years."

3. Traffic/Safety Improvement: The DOT plan will not improve flow on N.C. 2 heading toward N.C. 5 because the traffic light there will continue to stop cars.

Pinehurst's own traffic consultants proposed that if a roundabout were to be constructed, it should be at N.C. 2 and N.C. 5. Placed there, it would eliminate the traffic light and allow unimpeded traffic flow.

Pedestrians and bikers now cross only one major street to get from hotel to Member's Club. With a Carolina Vista roundabout they would cross several streets, thus increasing risk of accidents, not reducing them.

I suggest that the newly appointed Pinehurst Historic Preservation Commission advise DOT and its environmental experts how they feel about this ill-conceived project that will impact negatively upon properties and streets within their mandated area of concern.

Paul R. Dunn, Pinehurst