Regional Malls – A site in search of a use

One of the greatest challenges to housing markets throughout the United States is the lack of buildable land.  Regional Mall sites have acres and acres of buildable land that is being underutilized.  With Regional Malls declining in this on-line shopping era, use of this land for significant new housing should be considered. There are over 1200 Regional Malls and Super Regional Malls in America on 40 to 120 acres.

• Large parking areas can be sold-off and utilized for multistory low, moderate, and market rate housing.  Federal, regional and local dollars should be invested to create low-income housing and housing for those currently homeless.

• Existing retail space can be converted into; urgent care facilities, local or regional medical clinics, job training facilities, local food banks, etc.  All of these facilities can be used by the thousands of residents who occupy the residential towers.

• Currently, Regional Malls are major hubs for bus and transportation linkages/routes throughout the cities. They’re perfect for the low, moderate, and market rate housing residents to commute to jobs and other activities.

• Surrounding land uses generally include the other businesses needed to support residential living like; banking, grocery shopping, soft goods stores, bars/restaurants/entertainment establishments, movie theaters, etc.

• Regional Mall sites are perfect for high-rise multifamily developments.  They’re generally surrounded my commercial or industrial uses and not single-family or small multi-family housing.  The development of these sites would unlikely create shadows or impede views from single-family homes. The current zoning from commercial to multi-family housing should be pursued by municipalities.