THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 9, 1996 TAG: 9607090005
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 28 lines
I urge Mayor Fraim, the City Council, the Planning Commission and the Design Review Board to read very carefully staff writer Alex Marshall's excellent articles on the proposed MacArthur Mall. We can still negotiate with Nordstrom to have this mall a living, integral part of the city. We do not need an island downtown.
Much of what has been built downtown in the past few years is esthetic and functional. I note that office spaces are now better filled. I cannot believe that it would not be in retailers' best interest to connect with what is already there. Cities are living organisms. If we fail to take account of that fact, we can damage the body whole.
A good reference work is Experience of Place by Tony Hiss. Gathered in this little book are proven ways to make the areas in which we live and work more alive and user friendly.
We have made enough mistakes in Norfolk. Let us look at models that will enhance our city. We need to take a good look at what we have that is good, and make whatever we add to it complement and integrate with it. We do not need more streets where what we see is parking garage walls.
JENNETTE M. FRANKLIN
Chesapeake, July 4, 1996 by CNB