Toledo - Southwyck Mall Demolition (Maumee, Bedford: real estate, credit, asbestos)

[vroomster]

The fence is up, asbestos removal is underway, and the building itself will soon be coming down.

There's talk about a mixed use lifestyle center eventually replacing it. Let's hope that whatever ends up in its place is a formidable destination that benefits the Reynolds Road corridor and Toledo proper.

Here's a link to some pics of the place when it was still open...
Southwyck Shopping Center (http://www.ffgeeks.net/malls/Southwyck/southwyck.htm - broken link)

[Dennuchi46]

I live within a few blocks of southwyck and can tell you my wife myself and hundreds of concerned folks in the shadow of southwyck will be chearing when the first ball goes though the walls of that place. I know the proposed developer -Larry dillon. He developed and built levis commons in P-burg. And it is a giant hit. It really is a grand departure from those big spread out malls. But his problem right now is the tight credit. He was talking about 100 millon dollars a few years ago. So if he retains the same plans it will cost probley more. But as someone said earlier that is a very important piece of real estate .There are 50000people in a 5 mile radius around that space. there is no reason it would not flourish.

[NorthPoleMarathoner]

Is Frankiln Park the only mall left in Toledo?

[nickw252]

Originally Posted by NorthPoleMarathoner

Is Frankiln Park the only mall left in Toledo?

Unfortunately no. Two new malls were just built in the suburbs. One of them, fallen timbers is out in the country by the highway and may go out of business. It has very low occupancy and in this economy there are no signs of it improving.

I'm happy about tearing down Southwyck but seriously, do we really need more malls?

Toledo Blade

General Growth Properties Inc., owner of the million-square-foot Fallen Timbers center in Maumee, planned to have the $125 million project 80 to 85 percent full by this time. Instead, a third of the space is vacant, two retailers have left, and another plans to. The center opened in 2007.

[yayoi]

I'd wish they do something Northtown. They could throw in a Walmart supercenter or a Super Target. Just put something there.

[nickw252]

Originally Posted by yayoi

I'd wish they do something Northtown. They could throw in a Walmart supercenter or a Super Target. Just put something there.

I wouldn't really consider more big-box chains progress. Doesn't anyone in Toledo have a sense of community? What about local business? If you must have a big-box store, what about Anderson's? Or Meijer or Kroger? At least Meijer is a smaller Michigan chain and Kroger is based out of Ohio rather than sending all your money to China through Wal-Mart. Better yet, what about locally owned small businesses like coffee shops, restaurants, small supermarkets or health food stores like Kazmaier's, Schorling's, or Bassett's, etc.? Wouldn't you rather your money be kept in the Toledo area?

Doesn't anyone ever wonder how we got into the shape we're in now? More Wal-Marts and Targets certainly aren't the answer.

Here is information on a group of Toledo businesses that's trying to encourage Toledoans to support local business, it's called Toledo Choose Local:

http://www.toledochooselocal.com/

[vroomster]

Originally Posted by nickw252

I'm happy about tearing down Southwyck but seriously, do we really need more malls?

Nobody needs more malls. America has tons of them and many are being torn down and redeveloped. However, "lifestyle centers" as they're known, benefit the community at large by including residential, offices, and entertainment options along with traditional retail. Mixed use developments like Levis Commons function as a stand-alone entity (like a traditional mall) while being well integrated within the region.

Also, it makes sense to have large scale shopping near major highway junctions. Southwyck has the I-80 / I-475 area pretty well covered.

[vroomster]

Originally Posted by nickw252

...If you must have a big-box store, what about Anderson's? Or Meijer or Kroger?

There's a Mejier about a mile East of the Northtowne property. Also a Target a couple miles in the other direction.

Originally Posted by nickw252

...
Better yet, what about locally owned small businesses like coffee shops, restaurants, small supermarkets or health food stores like Kazmaier's, Schorling's, or Bassett's, etc.? Wouldn't you rather your money be kept in the Toledo area?

Health food stores and coffee shops adjacent to Toledo's "red light district"!?! Now that's thinking outside the box! I guess a little health food might keep the strippers lean, and some Starbucks espresso could supplant their drug habits.

Seriously, though I like the idea of keeping money local, and this Northtowne corridor should definitely be targeted for blight remedy / redevelopment right after Reynolds Road. What better way to start classing up that part of town than with some quality local businesses? I'm sure the well-to-do residents of neighboring Bedford Township would approve.

[truemuck]

Is Woodville still open? I don't know how that mall keeps going.

[PhillytoCincy]

When I read the words "Mixed-Used" it sounds so much better than your traditional urban sprawl crap.