Westdale Mall In Cedar Rapids (Des Moines, Iowa City: real estate, job, houses)

[wallststud]

I recently read that the city council is "washing their hands of Westdale". I would just like to know what people think about that, and better yet what do people think about the situation involving Westdale mall.

[Iowarch]

I for one think it is about time the city administration learn where it's priorities are, they are not the Chamber of Commerce, they shouldn't be spending money we don't have on studies concerning private property or meedling in the affairs of business. One fool hardy council member even suggested the city should think about purchasing the Westdale property, but I think he was just getting in his last digs since he lost the last election and his term is coming to a close. As I understand it, the city already owns something like 800 pieces of property, many of these are properties that should be on the tax rolls, but for whatever reason the city has purchased some very expensive property over the last few years that is going to require a lot more tax payer money to get many of them out of the brown field situations they currently are in. I object to most of this, especially when city services are being cut, and fees are increasing for things we already pay taxes to have done. Leave the property on the tax rolls and let the private sector figure out what to do with it. It isn't the cities responsibility to stick its nose into every business or private property owners affairs.

[mfrerkes]

Westdale is a dying mall, and Cedar Rapids city officials thought they could save it by imposing a moratorium on the property. The city needs to let go and make the property available for redevelopment. That will likely mean the demolition of Westdale, but at least the nearly-vacant building can be reworked into something usable.

[Chicago60614]

^ it doesn't have to though....

I can't think of the name off the top of my head, but a real estate guy in Iowa City has done a pretty good job at turning properties around that nobody thought could be brought back to life.

Sycamore Mall for one is doing much better than it has in years. I thought that place was doomed forever....

Old Capital Mall is very empty, but the U of Iowa bought the entire upper floors and have turned it into offices/classes. The bottom now is becoming something of a big food court.

[WoodwardGirl]

I don't think Westdale is the City Council's problem. If the city is LOOKING for a venue for something they PLAN to do anyway, they should look at that real estate as they would any other. The huge visibility of the situation is inhibiting turn-around specialists or anyone else from wanting to get involved -- no one wants to take that job on with a huge spotlight beaming down on them. We need to move on -- time will heal all, and either Westdale will sink or it will swim. That's capitalism for you.

[Not Iowa]

Originally Posted by wallststud

I recently read that the city council is "washing their hands of Westdale". I would just like to know what people think about that, and better yet what do people think about the situation involving Westdale mall.

I'm glad for this. I would like to see the Cedar Rapids City Council spend their efforts on anything else. Lindale is doing nicely, and maybe a private company will invest in a second mall in town.

[Iowagirl566]

What killed Westdale anyway? While as always liked Lynndale a little bit better, I shopped at Westdale when I went to Cedar Rapids to shop (not local). I moved to Des Moines and hadn't been there for a few years. Boy, was I surprised to find how empty it was. When did it start to decline? Best steak I ever had was at York Steak House in Westdale. You could have cut it with a butter knife.

[zz4guy]

Originally Posted by Iowagirl566

What killed Westdale anyway? While as always liked Lynndale a little bit better, I shopped at Westdale when I went to Cedar Rapids to shop (not local). I moved to Des Moines and hadn't been there for a few years. Boy, was I surprised to find how empty it was. When did it start to decline? Best steak I ever had was at York Steak House in Westdale. You could have cut it with a butter knife.

Coralridge Mall killed it. After that mall went up westdale has been dying steadily.

Westdale is too darn close to Coralridge (15min drive) to have as many store slots as they do. I think if it were the size of Lindale it would be doing ok (half the size).

For the record though I say lift the stupid moratorium and bring in the big yellow eqiupment. This is a free country so let property owners do what they want their property! We'll all get better shopping opportunities if they redevelop.

[UW Badgers]

Coralridge Mall killed it. After that mall went up westdale has been dying steadily.

We moved here 3 years ago from the Milwaukee area. We don't know all of the going ons that happened when Coralridge was built. There is more then enough people here to keep 2 malls going along with Coralridge. Coralridge to us got boring real quick. We think the city killed Westdale. It could be a striving mall without a doubt if they allow business in it.

There is a mall where we used to live in Milwaukee that is a lot like Westdale. It's slightly larger, but it's 2 stories like Westdale. We go there everytime we go back home. We couldn't imagine walking into it and seeing 7 stores and a Chik-fa-let. Westdale needs a striving food court and fantastic shopping. There is no reason that whenever Montgomery Wards closed, that someone else couldn't move in. It would have been perfect for Sears. As I said though, don't know how it died. We detest going to Lindale. Collins Road is horrible and should've been built at least 3 lanes each side from the get-go.

There are 3 huge, booming malls in the area we came from. One is 15 minutes from the other. None will ever die, infact they just keep building. With all the restaurants around Westdale, it should be booming. We also think this city made a huge mistake voting for the city "government" that we have. I haven't seen anything very positive come out of that vote, including revising Westdale. My mom said they tried to to that in the town they live(where I grew up)and they shot it down quicker then it was brought up.

The west side of CR should be better then it is. There is no reason to have one electronics store in town. The council should be trying to get Circut City on this side or another Best Buy(my vote would be Circuit City). Even try to get a Costco or another Sam's. If this town can support 2 Super Walmarts/Targets, it can support 2 of everything else. They need to remember there are 2 sides in this growing town, not one. It's going to be on congested mess if CR keeps growing and they do nothing to help it.

[Busch71]

Originally Posted by zz4guy

I think if it were the size of Lindale it would be doing ok (half the size).

According to Wikipedia Westdale is 200,000 sq ft bigger than Lindale. I never knew the figures until now but Westdale always felt bigger to me.

Originally Posted by UW Badgers

We think the city killed Westdale. It could be a striving mall without a doubt if they allow business in it.

I'm glad the city council finally got their fingers out of the deal, I think they were screwing up any hopes of getting the mall to recover. It's sad to see how far Westdale has gone downhill. I was only 7 or 8 years old when it opened I still remember what a big deal it was at the time. I also remember the Michelle Martinko murder being huge news for what seemed like months. Between Westdale and Lindale, Westdale was my favorite for many years. I also loved Chick-Fil-A (I'd almost kill for one since I'm out in Portland, OR) and it was handy because it was on my way to and from my old job of almost 10 years at Amana Refrigeration.

We detest going to Lindale. Collins Road is horrible and should've been built at least 3 lanes each side from the get-go.

I agree, that area is an absolute nightmare. For a few years I worked over at the old Blockbuster Music by Old Navy on the weekends and I dreaded the traffic, especially between Thanksgiving and New Years. I stayed away from that area as much as possible during the holidays, even though I lived in that area for a while. I remember back in the very early 90's that Hwy 100 was basically empty between K's Merchandise and Hwy 100. We used to be able to street race on Hwy 100 for an hour or two before the cops showed up.

With all the restaurants around Westdale, it should be booming. We also think this city made a huge mistake voting for the city "government" that we have. I haven't seen anything very positive come out of that vote, including revising Westdale. My mom said they tried to to that in the town they live(where I grew up)and they shot it down quicker then it was brought up.

The west side of CR should be better then it is. There is no reason to have one electronics store in town. The council should be trying to get Circut City on this side or another Best Buy(my vote would be Circuit City). Even try to get a Costco or another Sam's. If this town can support 2 Super Walmarts/Targets, it can support 2 of everything else. They need to remember there are 2 sides in this growing town, not one. It's going to be on congested mess if CR keeps growing and they do nothing to help it.

I agree with what you wrote. That area should be booming, I don't understand why it isn't. There's been plenty of houses built out in that area between C.R. and Fairfax. I agree with you that there should be more than just Best Buy. When I lived in C.R. I used to love Ultimate Electronics and Custom Audio/Video in Hiawatha. I'm spoiled out here in Portland with Best Buy, Circuit City, Fry's, Costco etc. and the independent stores. If I move back to C.R. next year I'll really miss the choices I have out here.