----------------------- Page 1----------------------Economics Unit 1: Introduction to Economics No Dogs Allowed: Portfolio Project

In Unit 1: Introduction to Economics, you will examine how individuals and group s must make choices regarding how to make the best use of limited resources. Land may b e one of the most important resources that a community possesses. Citizens, government s, and businesses sometimes have conflicting views about the best use of land.

In this portfolio project, you will analyze a community resource issue and deter mine the best way to resolve potential conflicts. You will support your decisions by appl ying the terms and concepts from Unit 1 to the case.

The Case: No Dogs Allowed

Martinsville is a rapidly growing town. Many new families have moved to Martinsv ille for its job opportunities. Recent development has led to the creation of new apa rtments, condos, town houses, and retail spaces. The developments tend to be high in dens ity, and residents have little or no land of their own for outdoor recreation. Though the town is clean and offers great public services, such as schools and libraries, there are few public spaces available for recreation. Land value is high and open space is dwindling. Local gyms and one country club offer recreation, but not all of the citizens can affo rd membership rates or fees. One local park exists, but no pets are allowed. Famili es who

own dogs complain that there are no resources in the town for families with pets .

As a member of Martinville's town council, you are considering a proposal for the construction of a dog park on five acres of public land. A national pet store ch ain has offered the town a grant to partially fund the construction of the park. The tow n has a budget surplus and can afford the remaining cost of construction. Following the example of a nearby county, the town council would like to develop the park and charge u sers a small yearly fee to finance maintenance. Before this proposal can be accepted, t he town council must hold a hearing to provide citizens with access to information regar ding the proposal. The hearing is in one week and already your office has received phone calls from concerned citizens who believe that the proposed dog park is a waste of tow n resources, as well as calls from pet lovers who would like to see the town devot e some resources for families with pets.

In order to prepare for the meeting, you must organize information so that you c an address the public and answer questions. Although you are personally in favor of the park, you must consider the public's interest in making a decision.

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Land value: The town government has assessed the value of one acre of land at 12

5,000 dollars.

Residents: This town has a population of 100,000 residents.

Residents who have one or more dogs: There are 7,000 licensed dogs in the town, but there are no statistics for unregistered pets.

Proposed location of the park: The dog park would be constructed on five acres o f undeveloped land owned by the town. The land is partially wooded and would need to be cleared. It sits behind a townhouse development.

Other factors to consider: A real estate developer has offered the county 850,000 dollars to purchase the l and and build 40 new luxury townhouses.

The local elementary schools are close to capacity and one needs major renovatio ns.

The Questions: As you answer the following questions, notice that unit terms are bolded. Refer to y our textbook glossary and/or Chapters 13 to review the terms before answering the questions.

1. What economic question(s) does this case require the town to ask? (2 points) The first would be what would keep us with a level economic standing. Where woul d the most sustainable revenue come from? 2. List the possible resources that the town would need to construct and maintai n the park. (2 points) They would need the materials required to build the park as well as the human re

source to maintain it 3. What town resource(s) are scarce? (1 points) 4. Who will be the consumers using this public good? (2 points) 5. What is the opportunity cost of building this park? Explain. (5 points) 6. Identify at least one pro and one con for each of the following options: (5 p oints) a. leaving the land undeveloped Leaving it undeveloped will not allow anything to be gained. b. selling the land to real estate developers to build homes There is a good posability for more dog owners to come into the town, when they see there is no place for their pet to go they would grow unhappy. 7. What, if any, market failures might exist in this town? Explain. (3 points) If there were market failures then The issue would be different because you woul d need to factor in how the market would affect the choice. 8. Create a chart that identifies the positive and negative externalities of bu ilding the park. Explain the effect of each externality. (Hint: You may use the charts on pp. 64-65 as a guideline.) (6 points) 9. How could the town government counteract the negative externalities? (3 poin ts) 10. Based on your studies of Unit 1, write a persuasive argument for or against the construction of the dog park. Provide a minimum of three supporting details and elaborate on each to support your position. Your answer should include economic terms when appropriate and should be written in paragraph form. (16 points) I think they should build the dogpark. It would make the dog owners happier, it would return money, and it can be afforded. The happier dog owners would likely spend more money on their dogs which would go back into the economy. The park wo uld garner fees back from the people for maintenance of the park. This puts mone y back into the system as well. It was stated that they could afford it with the budget surplus because a pet shop company was backing them with funds. 2012 Connections Education LLC. All rights reserved . ----------------------- Page 3----------------------Student Self-Assessment Persuasive Argument Rubric Use the following rubric as a scoring guide for your persua sive argument.

Score 2 Relevance one of the supporting ls is relevant to osition,

Score 4 Score 1 All three supporting Supporting details details are relevant to are not relevant to the position, the position. connecting directly to the argument.

Score 3 Two of the three supporting details are relevant to the position, connecting directly to the argument Only three detai the p conne to th Only three detai Persu langu effec choic argum

cting directly e argument. Persuasiveness one of the supporting ls incorporates asive age and tive word e to strengthen ent. Accuracy one of the supporting ls is accurately en and reflects understanding All three supporting Supporting details details incorporate incorporate neither persuasive language persuasive and effective word language nor choice to strengthen effective word argument. choice to strengthen argument. All three supporting Supporting details details are accurately are not accurately written and reflect written and do not clear understanding of reflect clear unit terms and understanding of Two of the three supporting details are accurately written and reflect clear understanding Only three detai writt clear Two of the three supporting details incorporate persuasive language and effective word choice to strengthen argument.

it terms and pts. Depth of ent includes Response rations on one re details; sis is limited.

concepts. unit terms and concepts. Argument includes Argument states elaboration and a details without thoughtful analysis of providing any each detail to support elaboration. the writers position.

of unit terms and concepts. Argument includes elaboration on two or more details; analysis is good, but could be strengthened by elaborating on one or more supporting details.

of un conce Argum elabo or mo analy

Clarity nse is weak o of the wing areas: ization, age nics, and use ansitions.

Argument is clearly Response is weak organized, has few if in all of the any mechanical errors, following areas: and uses transitions to organization, unify response; Language response brings mechanics, and together all of the use of transitions. supporting details into one, cohesive argument.

Response could be strengthened in one of the following areas: organization, language mechanics, and use of transitions.

Respo in tw follo organ Langu mecha of tr

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