09-28-2008, 09:23 AM
Many years ago (about twelve yrs) here in my area of S. Fl., a regional mall came in. It was the standard configuration of stores surrounding the central, air conditioned halls, with the whole thing surrounded by vast expanses of parking. The whole thing was situated a couple of blocks off the highway(US1) in what was native forest.(palmetto, slash pine, scrub oak etc.) They left the two blocks of the forest between the highway and the start of the parking so that when driving by on US 1 it still looked like forest but concealed the massive mall. I remember thinking what a wonderful idea it was and that it showed such refreshing progressive (in a good way) foresight. It made me proud of our county leaders who obviously had a hand in encouraging development in such a manner.
Of course about a year later they started mowing down all of the trees and building box stores and restaurants on the previously "preserved" blocks. It wasn't the foresight I thought it was. The mall still remains hidden from US 1 to this day, except now, it is hidden by Taco Bell, McDonalds, Chilis, Rooms to Go, etc.
My point is that some development along the main highway could be done and still look nice if done as I originally thought the mall developers had done.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Of course about a year later they started mowing down all of the trees and building box stores and restaurants on the previously "preserved" blocks. It wasn't the foresight I thought it was. The mall still remains hidden from US 1 to this day, except now, it is hidden by Taco Bell, McDonalds, Chilis, Rooms to Go, etc.
My point is that some development along the main highway could be done and still look nice if done as I originally thought the mall developers had done.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
S. FL
Big Islander to be.