Choo-choo! Make way for the money train!
Nader Ghermezian, developer of the Mall of America and Canada's West Edmonton Mall, was in Minnesota yesterday to attend a town hall meeting in Bloomington. The big topic was his proposed expansion of the Mall of America, specifically the addition of a state-run casino, and it sounds like it was a heated discussion. I understand the concern regarding the possibility of Bloomington becoming the next Las Vegas, but come on. That's pretty far-fetched. Ghermezian wants Bloomington to become a family vacation destination, but naysayers are making fearful comments like "we don't want Camp Snoopy to become Camp Sleazy." Will a casino situated inside a family entertainment center really bring in drugs and prostitution? Maybe they should check around by talking to the tribes that run the casinos in Hinckley and Mystic Lake, or visit the successful West Edmonton Mall and its casino. Sheesh. Some people are so quick to cast judgement and make crazy claims.
Here's the Strib article: The Megamall, Phase II
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