Christina Estes / KJZZ Metrocenter Mall was officially closed on June 30, 2020. Iconic Phoenix property being demolished and heavily refurbished. Excellent adventure. ”The time travel comedy starring Keanu Reeves featured a wild scene with security guards chasing historical figures around the mall. Sixteen years earlier, when it opened in 1973, Metrocenter was considered the first mall west of the Mississippi with five department stores. For many years it was a destination for shoppers, ice skaters, and video game fans. “It was the best place to see Santa,” said Ann O’Brien. “It was a two-story mall with a huge tree. It was fun. ”As a child, Ann O’Brien visited Santa Claus at the Metrocenter. She worked there as a teenager. Today she represents the region as a member of the Phoenix City Council. City of PhoenixMetrocenter Mall off Interstate 17 and Dunlap Avenue in the early 1970s. “I am so happy that we will have this new development in this area. It was urgently needed, ”she said. After years of decline, the Metrocenter Mall officially closed last year. The new owners, Concord Wilshire Capital and TLG Investment Partners, will work with Hines to create a community-owned, walk-through village just off Interstate 17 between Dunlap and Peoria Avenues. “We’re not just going to clean everything up and set up a project of the Anytown type, USA. We want to make it special, ”said Chris Anderson, senior managing director of Hines. “We imagine restaurants, some service shops, so you know things like barbershop, childcare. “We want to make it special.” – Chris Anderson, Hines Senior Managing Director Development will be phased to include parks, an amphitheater and more than 2,600 apartments at various prices. Christine Mackay, director of economic development for Phoenix, said tenants will include people earning between 80% and 120% of the median income in the area. For a two-person household, that’s $ 50,600 to $ 75,900. For a four-person household, the range is between $ 63,200 and $ 94,800. “It’s known more as accessible living or housing for workers, as opposed to subsidized housing,” Mackay said. “But more in the price point of the workforce that is in and around that particular area.” The location is near an existing Walmart Supercenter, the Cholla Library, a branch of the Phoenix Public Library, the Castles’ N Coasters amusement park, the Arizona Canal and the Rose Mofford Sports Complex. Total construction costs are estimated at more than $ 750 million. Nate Sirang, President of Concord Wilshire, called it a rare opportunity: “Eighty acres of land in the heart of Phoenix and no development opportunities like this one with a mix of uses and demands.” A light rail is currently being built on the site and passengers will be able to travel downtown through Tempe and to Mesa from 2024. The city council is expected to approve bonds for the construction of public parking spaces, as well as for the redevelopment of the Park Central Mall in Midtown. In the case of Metrocenter, the garages will be smaller and spread out to best serve residents, visitors and park-and-ride users of the light rail. Mayor Kate Gallego believes other cities can learn from Phoenix: “A lot of communities are really struggling with this, and we’ve found that public-private partnerships and new amenities are a great recipe for success. I assume that Phoenix will receive national attention for the renovation projects we have carried out for shopping centers. ”The former Metrocenter Mall is a qualified opportunity zone, which is a federal designation for an economically troubled area, in which new investments may receive tax breaks. Councilor O’Brien said the project will create new jobs and sales tax revenue, and add value to nearby properties. “Ultimately, all of us in the city – no matter where we live – are influenced by other parts of the city and so it is important to us, I think we are only as strong as our weakest link, and so it is important for us to lift all up, ”she said. ABOVE: Preliminary sketches of the Metrocenter redevelopment site. Hines BOTTOM Dillard’s Clearance Center is owned by Dillard’s and was not part of the 2020 Metrocenter Mall closure. The former entrance to the mall adjacent to the Harkins Theaters that remains open. Christina Estes / KJZZ Dillard’s Clearance Center will remain on site along with the Harkins Theaters. In an email to KJZZ News, a Harkins representative said, “We have entertained moviegoers at the Metrocenter for nearly 30 years and plan to entertain our loyal guests for many years to come.” If the former mall is demolished next year, Chris said Anderson with Hines that the Metrocenter will not be completely wiped out: “We don’t want people to forget Metrocenter. But Metrocenter is just getting a new life, a different shape. ”They don’t know if the name will be kept, but Anderson says it will highlight the mall’s history – Metrocenter signs may be incorporated into public art. The details have yet to be worked out, but the developers say they are committed to preserving the memories of the iconic property and educating future generations. Christina Estes / KJZZ More stories from KJZZ
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