Here is the translation with each sentence separated by a line break as you requested:
Xia Xiang clearly remembered that from now until the future, the real estate in Yan City began to develop rapidly, divided into almost three stages.
The first stage was the large-scale housing boom triggered by the transformation of urban villages, with new residential areas springing up one after another in the urban villages.
Housing prices rose from around 2,000 yuan to 4,000 or 5,000 yuan in the future, always more than ten times higher than the average income of residents.
The second stage was when Yan City proposed a strategy for the entire city to develop toward the southeast.
As a result, the real estate army led by Cheng Da and Cai rushed into the southeast development zone of Yan City, building numerous new residential areas.
However, even after more than ten years, the development in the southeast was still unsatisfactory.
The vast development zone had wide, clean streets, with flourishing flowers, grass, and trees on both sides.
But apart from a few universities and some insignificant factories, the permanent population of the entire development zone was less than 100,000.
Looking around, it was sparsely populated, creating a quiet, leisurely, and comfortable scene rarely seen in domestic cities, becoming a popular place for dates, leisure, and novice driving practice.
Many of the so-called beautiful new residential areas were 70% vacant.
While quiet, living here meant spending nearly an hour driving just to buy groceries, eat, or go to a shopping mall.
Life is not just about pursuing ideals or fantasies, but the mundane little things of daily living, and no one can tolerate feeling abandoned by the city's hustle and bustle while enjoying the quiet.
This led to many real estate companies in the development zone going bankrupt, sparking numerous property disputes and issues such as the inability to process property certificates.
The final straw that broke the back of the real estate industry in the development zone was when the new provincial party committee and provincial government, after research and discussion, concluded that due to the terrain, the strategy of developing toward the southeast was not in line with scientific principles and the development vision of the times.
Yan City should develop toward the northwest.
As a result, the policy changed, eliminating a batch of old real estate developers and giving rise to new developers, who embarked on a new journey to the northwest.
This ushered in the third stage of the real estate boom in Yan City.
Xia Xiang did not know the final outcome of the third stage because, before he could witness its achievements, he had already been reborn into the present.
So when he heard Li Dingshan mention Yan City's future development direction and Chen Feng, he could not help but pay attention.
Had Gao Hai already aligned himself with Chen Feng? Was it that, when Chen Feng fell from power, Gao Hai's political future was also affected?
That was why he had never seen Gao Hai's name on the list of provincial and municipal leaders in the future?
"Chao Zong, how is business at your Chu Feng Lou these days?" Xia Xiang quickly thought of a question and asked Chu Zigao.
Chu Zigao's voice was a bit hoarse, sounding somewhat similar to how Zeng Zhiwei spoke:
"There are too few customers, the traffic is inconvenient, and parking is difficult. Right now, we are just barely holding on. I'm here today to get a sense of things from Secretary Gao to see if there's any possibility of transforming Friendship Street in the next two years. If there's no movement by 2000, I'll have to shut down Chu Feng Lou."
Chu Zigao had a worried look on his face, and his exaggerated expression did have a bit of theatrical quality, but Xia Xiang could tell that he genuinely had no confidence.
Chu Feng Lou was located in the northern part of Friendship Street, with the People's River to the west, a garbage station to the east, and although it was not far from the bustling Xin Xing Road to the south, the northern end was a dead-end road, so cars couldn't get there.
Many cars would either turn left or right at the Xin Xing Road intersection, rarely going straight to Chu Feng Lou.
Adding to the stench of the garbage station behind, it was a surprise when there were any customers.
Xia Xiang wondered how Chu Zigao had chosen this location to build Chu Feng Lou.
More than a year had passed, and there were no signs of improvement in the surrounding environment, so he was gradually losing patience.
Xia Xiang glanced at Gao Hai. He and Li Dingshan were talking about something, both of them serious, with thoughtful expressions, probably discussing some insider matters.
He guessed that Chu Zigao was trying to probe Gao Hai for any information about the city's work priorities in the next couple of years, specifically whether there were any plans to transform North Friendship Street.
But it seemed like Gao Hai had not revealed any useful information yet.
Xia Xiang lightly clinked glasses with Chu Zigao, even though he didn't particularly enjoy the strong aroma of Maotai, which always made him feel lightheaded.
Out of courtesy, however, he drank it all.
"The garbage station behind Chu Feng Lou should soon be relocated; otherwise, it doesn't align with the city's development plan," Xia Xiang threw out a bait.
Chu Zigao hesitated for a moment before speaking:
"The key is the city's policy support. If they can open up the northern T-junction, it will certainly attract traffic and people. The commercial value of this section of North Friendship Street will rise, and this will activate all the restaurants and shops in the area…"
The fact that he said this must have come from some insider information that Gao Hai had shared.
This was also the basic thinking of the city for the renovation of North Friendship Street.
In the future, the northern part of Friendship Street really was not renovated until 2000 when they opened the northern T-junction, which revived several restaurants, including Chu Feng Lou, and formed a food street about 500 meters long.
However, because the street was narrow and hard to expand, by mealtime, cars were parked on both sides of the street, which affected traffic.
Until Xia Xiang's rebirth, the traffic situation in this area had not improved due to the parking problems at restaurant entrances, often leading to some minor disputes.
In Xia Xiang's view, opening the northern T-junction itself was a mistake.
Later, Yan City built a lot of elevated highways to relieve the north-south traffic pressure as part of the North-South Traffic Relief Project, but the role of North Friendship Street was minimal.
However, the forced demolition triggered resistance and caused significant losses, which made the city government quite troubled at the time.
As far as Xia Xiang remembered, the renovation of North Friendship Street was Chen Feng's final political achievement, and the day it opened was also the day Chen Feng fell from power.
Could it be that the mere 500 meters of road on North Friendship Street was the last straw that broke the conflict between Gao Chengsong and Chen Feng?
Xia Xiang did not want to comment on the merits or faults of Chen Feng, but he did recognize that although Chen Feng's style was somewhat rough, he did indeed do a lot for the common people.
If possible, Xia Xiang still hoped Chen Feng could contribute more to Yan City.
"Expanding the T-junction and connecting North Friendship Street to the northern Second Ring Road is feasible, but the cost and time involved are too great.
The city is probably not ready to make a decision yet. If they do decide to act, it will at least be by 2000, as the city's main focus right now is the transformation of urban villages.
They are not able to focus on the short 500-meter stretch of North Friendship Street. Do you still have the patience for two more years, Chao Zong?"
Chu Zigao was no fool. In the future, he persisted for two more years. In 2000, the North Friendship Street renovation succeeded, and Chu Feng Lou became one of the most influential restaurants in Yan City, eventually opening several branches and making a small profit.
Chu Zigao had a bitter look on his face and glanced helplessly at Gao Hai. He said, "We small businesses don't have that much capital or patience. I'm just afraid that even if we want to stick it out, we won't be able to afford it."
Xia Xiang chuckled inwardly. Chu Zigao was trying to use Gao Hai to gain early information about the city's policies, but expecting him to influence the mayor to make an early decision on the renovation was a pipe dream.
It wasn't about Gao Hai's influence; even Chen Feng would not easily change a decision that had been debated from multiple angles.
The government is like a big manager, considering various factors like where the urgency and interests lie, and that's where the focus will be.
"I studied architecture, and I usually like to think about things. I have an immature idea. I can share it with you, Chao Zong. It's just a conversation over drinks, so if it doesn't make sense, just consider it as drunken talk…"
Xia Xiang set the tone first. He didn't want Li Dingshan and Gao Hai to think he was arrogant, but it was hard to balance being low-key while showing that he had some insight.
"In fact, the key to the entire North Friendship Street stretch is the garbage station. As long as the garbage station is moved, the whole North Friendship Street can be revitalized.
Opening the T-junction is beneficial for alleviating north-south traffic in Yan City, but in the long run, it is not necessary because, with Yan City's current layout, elevated highways will eventually be developed…"
Before Xia Xiang could finish his sentence, Gao Hai's expression changed, and he stopped his conversation with Li Dingshan, looking at Xia Xiang with interest.
"Your idea is quite innovative, Xiao Xia, go on."
Xia Xiang hadn't expected Gao Hai to be so attentive, feeling a bit embarrassed. He said, "I was just saying casually. How dare I put this in front of Secretary Gao? Don't bully me, I was just chatting with Chao Zong. If he's happy to hear it and gives me a discount card, I'll be content. I wouldn't dare say this in front of you."
Gao Hai patted his belly:
"Is it because Dingshan looks scholarly that you think he's talented? I have a big head and big ears, so I'm just a mediocre person. Xiao Xia, don't judge people by appearance. I'm all ears to hear your insights."
Xia Xiang had a better impression of Gao Hai and smiled modestly. He nodded at Li Dingshan, who showed a look of approval, and continued:
"As long as the city decides to move the garbage station and turn North Friendship Street into a pedestrian street, Chao Zong can unite with several restaurant owners, collectively investing hundreds of thousands to build a small leisure square in the area where the garbage station used to be.
Then, plant flowers, grass, and trees along the People's River, place some benches, and if funds permit, build two or three small pavilions. With a comfortable environment, it will naturally attract nearby residents to stroll and relax.
Once the foot traffic increases, it won't be long before it converts into customer traffic."
Xia Xiang was confident that the relocation of the garbage station had already been put on the agenda, and it would definitely be completed by early next year.
Actually, the real problem in this area was the garbage station. However, due to the limitations of the era and environment, even the most enlightened mayor could not have the foresight to build a pedestrian street.
Yan City was still lagging behind developed coastal cities by more than a decade.