THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 22, 1996 TAG: 9610220004
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 27 lines
This letter is in response to Alex Marshall's Oct. 15 article concerning Norfolk's MacArthur Center.
While Mr. Marshall has correctly diagnosed the change in facade for the proposal, he accepts the developers' statement that the front of the mall will face Monticello Avenue. This is not entirely correct.
We can all recollect houses or even businesses where the common entry is through a side or back door. Often, the door facing the street is used only for strangers or for formal occasions.
The same situation has been set out for this mall. The ``front door'' on Monticello Avenue will be yards from a loading dock, which incidentally will lie in the path of any pedestrians walking from City Hall Avenue to outdoor cafes. The main entry will be into the parking garage from the East.
The true front of the mall will never be on Monticello Avenue. Nordstrom has clearly staked its claim to the spot closest to the expressway coming from the East, and Nordstrom does not want its shoppers to bear the discomfort of having to view a loading dock.
DONALD N. HORNSTEIN
Norfolk, Oct. 16, 1996 by CNB