Needed: restaurants Not needed: auto mall

First, thanks for your detailed reporting on the auto mall (The Desert Advocate, May 17) that Westcor wants to stick us with at Carefree Hwy and I‑17.

I wanted to say that when we bought property from Greystone Homes, they told us that Westcor was going to do a retail mall with shops and restaurants–something desperately needed there.

We currently live in Cave Creek and, like many of our friends here and in Carefree, would love to be able to shop and eat at nice establishments closer to home.

Question: If so many of us are in need of shops and more restaurants in that area, and would support them, why does Westcor not build what they are known for? And why do they want an auto mall spread across the entrance to such a beautiful area?

It might be interesting to find out if their profits are greater and expenses less if they build an auto mall. Perhaps there is less money and energy spent on acres of blacktop that need no maintenance, as they are filled with shiny, reflecting cars–not trees or landscape. Anyway, just an idea to expose their true motives.

I bet if the original owners of Westcor were still at the helm (Rusty Lyon), who are local residents, there would be some empathy and desire to do right by the residents living in and impacted by whatever they develop.

Apparently they do not even feel we deserve the "high‑end" dealerships they refer to on North Scottsdale Road that were just built.

Another thing: How often does anyone buy a car, once in 3‑5 years? So even if neighborhood residents purchased their car there, it's a convenience used so rarely that it qualifies as one we do not need. But it will bring in people and traffic from all over the Valley.

What we need is a local and regional mall with restaurants, office and medical. Thanks for listening, and keep up the good reporting. We love it!

Jo Jurgens, Cave Creek