Gateway Center

* Richard Simon’s article “Urban Jewel or Height of Folly?” (Sept. 24) poses the question of the future possibilities of the new, soon-to-be opened Gateway Transit Center. In my opinion, it could well be a tremendous success.

But success will be determined by the mixture of facilities at the center, and how well they cause people to be there, to linger and to return. Such a mixture must include hotels, apartments and condos and the right spectrum of stores and services, including restaurants.

While some entertainment would be nice, too much would be a disaster. Madison Square Garden in New York City on top of Penn Station is not a very good model and this sort of facility is best avoided. However, ease of getting to other parts of the Downtown area by subway is a definite plus, as is the Metrolink commuter rail system.

The right combination is the key.

ROBERT A. RAMSAY

Arcadia