New Ideas For Repositioning Underutilized Retail Areas

Learn how MKSK is assisting communities realize the potential of dying malls as vibrant districts and community assets.

In some parts of America, the giant malls that once served as community anchors are disappearing.

“Over the past 40 years, malls have been on a slow, steady decline to irrelevancy. Back in the 1980s, there were about 2,500 malls nationwide. Malls developed during the flight to the suburbs in the 1960s and 1970s. They were built in open fields on the outskirts of town that were designed for people to come and spend their money. Envisioned first as being retail-centric, they’ve taken steps to become consumer-centric, but that’s not enough anymore. Malls need to be community- and people-centric. Buying, shopping and spending money can’t be their primary reason for being.” Forbes, Mar 20, 2023

“As indoor malls lose their luster, their properties offer convenient amenities and infrastructure perfectly suited for redevelopment into housing, parks, and retail.”

- Planetizen, February 27, 2023

Our experience in repositioning malls and retail centers gives us the insight to introduce new life and district strategies to create lifestyle destinations through planning and design.

TRI-COUNTY MALL REDEVELOPMENT “ARTISANS VILLAGE”, SPRINGDALE, OHIO

Originally constructed as an open-air shopping center in the early 1960’s, the Tri-County Mall in Springdale, Ohio continued to expand throughout the decades eventually evolving into one of the largest suburban shopping malls in the greater Cincinnati area by the late 80’s into the 90’s. In recent years, the large department stores relocated to newer developments while many of the stores within the mall closed as Tri-County continued to experience a slow decline – a similar scenario is playing out in shopping malls across the country.

MKSK collaborated with the client and a team of architects to reimagine the next chapter of the Tri-County Mall. The resulting plan provides a comprehensive vision and master plan that recommends strategic demolition of portions of the existing mall to repurpose as apartments and condominiums, offices, and a community recreation center set in a park-like network of open spaces.

COLUMBUS COMMONS DEVELOPMENT PLAN
COLUMBUS, OHIO

The question of how to repurpose the ailing City Center Mall in Downtown Columbus was a primary concern of civic and business leaders for over a decade. Situated on prime real estate just south of the Ohio Statehouse, the monolithic City Center structure turned its back on High Street and was largely abandoned by retailers before being closed in 2009. Understanding the need to dramatically reinvent this key downtown location, the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) engaged MKSK to guide an urban design study that examined the possibilities for the site.

In its place, the concept (2008) and Urban Design Framework (2011) that MKSK framed for a mixed-use redevelopment area is being quickly realized. The first phase was construction of Columbus Commons, a successful central park space for downtown that provides a key element around which redevelopment will be focused. MKSK’s framework plan outlined development sites for mixed-use buildings to include residential, retail, and office uses. Recognizing the value of vehicular parking, the existing two-story underground garage on the site was retained, helping to facilitate the now completed $50 million Highpoint residential and retail project along the High Street corridor. Columbus Commons Park and Highpoint Development were designed by Moody Nolan.

BELLE OAKS: RICHMOND MALL REDEVELOPMENT
RICHMOND HEIGHTS, OHIO

MKSK is collaborating with Bialosky Architects and Dealpoint Merrill to redevelop the Richmond Mall, a former retail center located in the City of Richmond Heights, Ohio. Richmond Mall was nearing the end of its useful life when the City encouraged its redevelopment as a vibrant lifestyle center to serve as a primary destination for Richmond Heights and neighboring communities. Combined with the age and condition of many existing commercial centers, proactive solutions are required to return these once-thriving parts of our cities back into destinations for people of all ages and backgrounds. MKSK is developing new nodes of activity, a mix of open spaces, improved walkability and connectivity, and enhanced identity at Belle Oaks.

Phase 1 established a model for the new neighborhoods. It is complete with a processional entry drive, central park, walkable streetscapes, and residential amenities- including a pool. Future phases will continue to respond to the needs of residential and retail uses by providing a new central marketplace, Meijer, and linear park.

FAIR OAKS MALL REDEVELOPMENT
COLUMBUS, INDIANA

MKSK is collaborating with Perkins&Will to redevelop the Fair Oaks Mall, an operating retail mall located in the north central area of the City of Columbus, Indiana. Fair Oaks Mall was nearing the end of its useful life as a retail mall at the time of acquisition by the Fair Oaks Community Development Corporation. The project is envisioned as an opportunity to provide city residents with greatly expanded indoor/outdoor recreational space while providing a new home for the Columbus Parks & Recreation Department offices. Already, the development community has taken notice and is interested in complementary redevelopment projects adjacent to this site.