Perils of new mall
Many politicians believe that the new mall at the intersection of Interstate 75 and Florida’s Turnpike will bring tens of thousands of jobs to Miami-Dade County. However, there is only so much disposable income in the county that people will spend on things.
If the new mall sells those things, the local shops that originally sold them will lose that business. If the shops in the new mall are more efficient, fewer people will be employed. If the mall shops are less efficient, prices will be higher. If people travel further to the mall than to their local shops, that is an additional expense to them, as well as bad for the environment.
People who shop at local stores can drive or ride their bike to them; that would not be a feasible way to get to the new mall.
We may be able to lure additional tourists to the mall, but most would shop in some of the existing business areas such as downtown or Dadeland.
Eric Tullberg, Palmetto Bay
This story was originally published January 12, 2016 at 6:46 PM with the headline "Perils of new mall."