Supports Proposal for Farmers Market

For several months, I’ve been reading and listening to talk about the plans for the Farmers Market. I am probably more interested than most, because I am a merchant at the Farmers Market, and I also live in the area.

Your Aug. 16 article indicated there is talk of scaling back the original plan. That would be a mistake. This is a true multi-use project--housing, retail, theaters, office (and) hotel. It has balance. Cutting back on the number of department stores and small shops lacks economic sense. Remember that May Co. is simply relocating from Wilshire to the Market--it is not really a new store.

People hear “retail center” and they think it will be another Beverly Center. It will not. This is a very large piece of land--31 acres. There will be lots of landscape walking areas, and the buildings along Fairfax and 3rd will be low-rise with shops opening out to the street.

Another difference between this and other developments is that the property has been owned by the same family for more than 100 years. I believe they have a stake in our community--this is definitely not a hit-and-run developer.

I’m convinced that the planned project will be good for shoppers, my community and the preservation of the Farmers Market.

GEORGE BRINKMAN

Los Angeles