Don’t blame our big mall

Re: “Blame mall for empty core,” by Pat Henning, Letters, Jan. 25.

Pat Henning says our downtown problems are caused by the West Edmonton Mall. Most visitors to our city probably come to see the well-advertised promotions at the mall.

To lay blame on a former mayor for the problems downtown is ludicrous.

Why then are all the power centres building on the perimeter and in clusters. Why? One reason I would guess is parking. Stores build in clusters because they can capture the most shoppers in one area.

We are now in a pickle because there is a shortage of parking downtown.

I went to the dentist the other day and it cost $18 for three hours.

Possibly there is a need for a new arena, but for heaven’s sake not downtown.

I do not think Edmontonians have any desire to pay for a white elephant when parking is an issue right now. All of the arena designs pictured in The

Journal are in cities with populations of well over two million.

Niels Jensen, Edmonton