The benefits of `neighborhood' shopping

As a native of Baltimore, I've seen what the Inner Harbor and Camden Yards have done for downtown. I believe that Arundel Mills will make the positive impact on Anne Arundel County that Harborplace and the ballpark have made on downtown Baltimore. The Mills Corp. acquired enough land where they can do additional development around the access road. Some people have said to me, "Can we take prime industrial land and turn that into retail land?" My answer is, the Mills Corp. could do all office development around the mall if it wants to. We're going to see some quality companies that come and locate in and around the mall. It's going to be a two-fer.

Room for all

David S. Iannucci, deputy secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development:

We're focused like a laser on the technology sector of the economy. Whether we're talking about information technology, biotechnology, the National Security Agency or federal laboratories -- technology is our focus.

We're not at such a critical mass of developable land that if we have retail in one place we don't have sites for technology companies.

Better jobs needed

Gary Mauler, a Severn resident who has actively opposed Arundel Mills:

We need a Silicon Valley where you have high-paying jobs. We already have too many "help wanted" signs for waiters and other low-paying jobs going unfilled. Now, what they're talking about doing is using taxpayer dollars to bus people in here to work. It's going to be 50 years or more before you see a dime out of this thing.

Maybe not, maybe

Emmaline Moore, 76, a 40-year resident who can see construction cranes from her front yard:

We thought maybe houses or something would go there. I'd rather have some other businesses there than a shopping center.

But after it opens, I'll be over there every day.

Interviews were conducted by Sun editorial writer Norris West.