I wish to express my horror and opposition in response to “Glass atrium proposed for Bangor” (BDN, Sept. 18). To say that atriums are becoming popular across the country has nothing to do with downtown Bangor. It is irrelevant to cite Tyson’s Corner in northern Virginia, which is basically a suburban mall.

Additionally, attempts at creating downtown pedestrian malls have failed across the United States. According to a recent issue of Historic Preservation [magazine], of the 200 downtown pedestrian malls built over the past several decades, most have failed and nearly all repaved as streets.

Main Street is very much a human-scaled space. Buildings are not oversized and its various facades are aesthetically pleasing. Putting a “soaring” roof over downtown ignores the human scale and destroys the historic quality of Main Street. A lattice of steel and glass rammed into the middle of blocks of historic brick buildings is without any context for the buildings.

The absence of inclement weather is noble. But so too would we be deprived of the other three seasons. Why would anyone want to walk in a glass-enclosed space during a beautiful spring day?

And finally, reducing available parking by malling the street will only serve to give people further justification for not frequenting downtown.

If you want a Disney World Main Street, then go to Florida. If it’s a mall you desire, go to the Bangor Mall. Bangor’s Main Street is just that … Main Street, and should not be forced to wear clothes that don’t fit. Kerry S. Riker Bangor