Today's Times Union announced the following tidbit:
Regency Dillard’s switches to clearance center
Posted: Monday, May 5th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
QuoteBy LIZ FLAISIG
The Times-Union
National department store retailer Dillard’s has added its Regency Square Mall store to a handful of locations designated as clearance centers.
Dillard’s Inc. spokeswoman Julie Bull confirmed today the Regency store would sell discounted merchandise from full-line stores in the Florida region, including St. Johns Town Center and The Avenues.
The Little Rock, Ark.-based chain has made fewer than 10 of its 330 stores clearance centers, Bull said.
See jacksonville.com for updates and Tuesday’s Times-Union.
Consider that other well known Regency Anchors, such as CompUSA, Lowe's and several other stores have already announced closings and retractions nationally.
The conversion over to discount centers was also the first step of Downtown's decay.
It has been noted for some while that Arlington seems to be on a downswing, and with the economy in free fall, this would pretty much be the bell tolling.
I hope Arlington will not slip it really does have nice neighborhoods.
Regency needs a make over. Its developers need to take a look at the lifestyle center concept, before its too late.
That way it doesn't wind up like Gateway Mall, or worse, Normandy Mall! :o
I would think the SJTC hurts the Regency mall a little.
CompUSA opened back up btw, same name, new ownership
Guys, let's be realistic here. Arlington is going downhill not because the retail market is pulling out or making changes. The retail market is pulling out and making changes because Arlington has gone down hill.
The housing prices in that area have always been affordable if not downright cheap in areas (see Arlington Rd./Cesery Blvd.) which attracts those with limited income. While some of these households are new families buying into their first home to start to make a life for themselves, many of them are also those that just need a cheap place to stay. There are very few neighborhoods with HOAs which makes it a prime place for those who don't want to keep up the appearance of their homes or who prefer to work on their vehicles in their front lawn. This, of course, detracts from anyone who could make a difference, financially speaking, from buying into the area. Who, after all, wants to buy and maintain a big beautiful home next to a 900 sq ft. cinder block home with peeling paint, broken windows and a broken-down chevy in the front 'yard'?
Then, of course, when something looks impoverished, the derelects take over. The neighborhoods are overrun with youngsters that grew up learning no sense of responsibility with too much time on their hands, so they hang out in the streets getting into trouble...or, they go to the mall to get into trouble.
If the prior residents had been more active and concerned about their neighborhoods at the first sign of a declining environment, Arlington wouldn't be the area it is now. But the fact of the matter is they didn't see a value there so they packed up and moved toward the beaches to places like Hampton Glen and The Woods.
Every city has to have a 'bad part of town'. I'd rather it be one of the first neighborhoods built as a result of urban sprawl than a neighborhood that was built as a result of a new city being formed.
Quote from: adamh0903 on May 06, 2008, 08:48:20 AM
I would think the SJTC hurts the Regency mall a little.
CompUSA opened back up btw, same name, new ownership
Totally different class of people. The people that shop at Town Center were former Avenues folks (if that), not Regency. Hell, there are places at SJTC that are segregated by class. Have you been down to the 'new' side? Funny how up at Ted's Montana Grill you'll see the Smart car and some Honda's or a Lexus parked on the sidewalk (dealer cars), but the further you go up, the cars start becoming Porches and Jaguars, and the stores go from The Gap to Louis Vuitton.
I must be missing something here ... Arlington has been going seriously downhill for the better part of 15 years!!
The "neighborhood" includes a huge land area, so some areas are still very nice, and even growing rapidly. But the original Arlington started going to hell a long time ago! Even as a kid, I remember the Regency area being a dump compared to the rest of the Southside.
Thats the thing, it doesnt have so much to do with different classes of people than it does with Regency being a dump.
Went to a mall in St. Louis that had I Believe a discount Dillards and it seemed like a normal mall. My wife told me it had at one time been the fancy mall but it certainly hadn't become the Normandy mall. We really need to avoid Regency slipping into a blight on the way from downtown to the beach.
I'm new to the board, but as a Regency area ( Monument Rd) resident I must chime in on this one. Some people tend to paint the whole Arlington area with a broad stoke and the media doesn't help Arlington's image. There are plenty of area from Southside Blvd, Monument Rd, Merrill Rd, Ft Caroline that are nice healthy middle to high income areas. I admit the "old" Arlington area (ie Xpressway, Cesery, Justina) have gone to hell (can you say HUD) and this does bleed over into the nicer areas give the whole area a bad identity. Anyone notice the correlation between the cleanup of Springfield and the Arlington getting worse. You're cleaning up Springfield but driving the bad element into Arlington, But I'm happy for the Springfield area.
As for the Mall, it started going down hill in the late 90's early 2000's because of two things 1-Avenues Mall and 2- it started attracting a bad thug element and your average shopper was scared away. SJTC DEFINITELY hurt the mall. A lot shoppers( including me) that would normally go to Regency mall now go SJTC instead. This "decline" is really only at the mall. There is a difference between Regency "mall" and Regency the shopping area, as far as I know other shopping centers in the Regency area do well, haven't heard of any closings. They actually keep adding new shopping area and stores.. H.H Gregg just opened a brand new store. CompUsa changed owners. You still have Best Buy, circuit City, Target, World Market, Bed Bath and Beyond, Barnes and Noble and a tons of other shopping in the area. Haven't heard anything about Lowes closing. I was there Sunday and no sign of closing to me where did you get this info?
I agree this may be the end of Regency Mall, unless the Mall owners decide to do something to change course, but I really don't see that happening anytime soon.... Thats my rant .... Have a nice day.
Quote from: FLA_DAWG on May 06, 2008, 10:34:52 AM
As for the Mall, it started going down hill in the late 90's early 2000's because of two things 1-Avenues Mall and 2- it started attracting a bad thug element and your average shopper was scared away. SJTC DEFINITELY hurt the mall. A lot shoppers( including me) that would normally go to Regency mall now go SJTC instead. This "decline" is really only at the mall.
This is kinda what I was trying to say, but didnt know how to say it, I used to go to Regency Mall every friday and Saturday Night when I was in High School. I remember being at the AMC 24 the night it opened, there is deffinately a thug element to the mall. Now,10 years later, coming from Callahan I drive right past Regency, straight to the Town Center. I do still shop quite a bit at Guitar Center, and the others new shops in that area.
Image is everything I find it just as easy to shop at Regency as anywhere else I would go to a department store.
I tend to stay away from Regency. Traffic sucks and i always see people getting arrested. Last time I was there, I visiting a buddy of mine who is a CSO and was working overtime on a Saturday. The was a large crowd inside Dillards fighting and a few people were stabbed. Then as you see the police head over there, I saw about 8 or 9 people head for the hills. They caught some inside the mall, some by Target and Home Depot and a couple more by the Southside Connector. Image is EVERYTHING and that the kind of image of get from that area.
Quote from: stephendare on May 06, 2008, 12:29:21 PM
how does it reverse?
Let me ask you this. How did Springfield reverse? What were all the factors involved in it? Granted it's not done yet.
I think Springfield's perserved architecture and historic landscape gave it an opportunity to reverse. Unfortunately, most post 1950 suburbs won't have that to fall back on. For Arlington, there needs to be some overall goal to highlight the things (central location, riverfront on three sides, home to a university, good highway connections, gridded streets, etc.) that make it stand out from typical suburban areas of the First Coast.
Quote from: thelakelander on May 06, 2008, 12:44:00 PM
I think Springfield's perserved architecture and historic landscape gave it an opportunity to reverse. Unfortunately, most post 1950 suburbs won't have that to fall back on. For Arlington, there needs to be some overall goal to highlight the things (central location, riverfront on three sides, home to a university, good highway connections, gridded streets, etc.) that make it stand out from typical suburban areas of the First Coast.
I think that this could be two discussions - Old Arlington and Regency.
I agree - this is the begining of the end for the Regency Square Mall (funny, how it's expansion was basically one of the final nails in the coffin for Downtown retail). Access is terrible with the road network around there - if anyone believe that non-grid streets are the way to go, go here and be proven wrong.
Old Arlington has an issue with their structures - they are not exactly popular, unlike Springfield. I think the best thing that they can hope fir is more interaction with the universities, and possible when the market comes around, office construction on Arlington Expressway. the nature of the road kills drive-by retail, but offices deal with a different dynamic, so could it be an office market at a lower price than Southpoint or Downtown? (especially with the Mathews bridge being as bad as it is).
Quote from: stephendare on May 06, 2008, 01:05:05 PM
QuoteOld Arlington has an issue with their structures - they are not exactly popular, unlike Springfield. I think the best thing that they can hope fir is more interaction with the universities, and possible when the market comes around, office construction on Arlington Expressway. the nature of the road kills drive-by retail, but offices deal with a different dynamic, so could it be an office market at a lower price than Southpoint or Downtown? (especially with the Mathews bridge being as bad as it is).
This was Godbold and Burn's strategy with the downtown Steve.
True, but their strategy neglected the pedestrian - not really an issue along Arlington Expressway.
Quote from: stephendare on May 06, 2008, 01:21:31 PM
I hate to disagree with you Steve, but both of them took great pains to please the pedestrian. Godbold's regime saw the installation of plazas and outlying parking garages.
Exactly my point - while they thought they were improving the pedestrian experience, they actually were detracting from it. All of the construction killed the downtown. If their changes were done by keeping the end user in mind (instead of what they thought was good for the end user), things I believe would be different today.
The pedestrian is not really as large of an issue in arlington, because of it's suburban nature. The building fabric is largely suburban. The thing is that Arlington really doesn't have a walkable pedestrian commercial corridor (like main st in springfield, park in riverside, Edgewood in Murray Hill, or St johns in Avondale). Arlington frankly might have more problems than downtown, and it's spreadout, auto-orinted nature contributes to this.
Quote from: stephendare on May 06, 2008, 01:21:31 PM
How would you address the pedestrian issue?
And why not support the good retail thats already there in the neighborhood and create a neighborhood initiative to help improve the marginal services, rather than driving out to the burbs and further nailing the lid onto the coffin?
That's a VERY large discussion - how do you make an existing, suburban, auto-oriented area into a pedestrian environment. It's a true challenge.
The Regency Mall has been in decline for years now and this transformation at Dillard's drives that point home. Look at what happend when Montgomery Wards closed, nothing of any significance ever reopened in that spot. I hardly ever frequent Regency Mall. I do however, shop at the Best Buy, Bed Bath Beyound, Lowes, Target and Home Depot in the vicinty of the mall. The entire isn't that bad, just the mall itself. There are many undesireable people that hang around that place. It reminds me of an old mall I used to work at in Atlanta, Gwinnett Place Mall, once it was the darling of Gwinnett County, now its the stepchild, left behind by the Mall of Georgia in Buford and Discover Mills Mall in Duluth. Regency has been out done by The Avenues and now the SJTC.
I think the main problem is the "undesirable people". Now guys, don't bash me. But how do you fix that? Do you revitalize the area and bring in a more desirable population, which I believe, is what is happening in Springfield now.
Quote from: stephendare on May 06, 2008, 04:58:04 PM
Stephenc, that is one of the most discussed complaints about regency mall.
What would you propose to help it?
SD, that is the question and one that can't be answered strictly as it pertains to specific area within our city. This would have to be a city-wide initiative that begins in the sherrif's office and is completed with a signature from the Mayor's office: More police presence and enforcement of laws. Many of our city's problems would be solved if we could simply complete that one task. Unfortunately, law enforcement is the first place our city government looks to when there are budget cuts (that and schools). We shoot ourselves in the foot everytime we take an officer off the streets or turn a blind eye to a crime.
Wow; I don't live in Jax anymore and had no idea that the Arlington/Regency area had slipped this much. I too hope that Regency doesn't end up like Normandy or Gateway.
Not only do the residents neeed to get involved to ensure that this area does not become like the old Springfield, but whoever the City Councilman is for that district needs to get off his or her a** and start firing themselves and the residents up regarding reclaiming this area for prosperity and success rather than letting it become run down.
I remember when this area of town was good and respectful for the most part, and Regency Mall was the heart and epicenter of the Arlington area; you had to stop at Regency Mall on the way to the beach, and people from Riverside, Northside, Normandy, and even close by Southside neighborhoods shopped at Regency Mall.
It's hard to believe that the decline of the Mall is a signal or death knell for the Arlington/Regency area.......I just don't believe this; I believe that the decline of Regency is primarily due to a poor economy, and the Ownership of the Mall not taking serious steps to counter each signal or sign of decline and deterioration within the Mall; add to this the decline of the area as a whole.......there are ways to keep your ship running even if it is in danger of sinking. The area as a whole might decline, but I firmly believe that the Mall itself doesn't have to; I am sure there are other people in other areas that also shop at Regency Mall.
Heights Unknown
I dont know any easy solution. I dont think an increased police force will really do it. Regency has a freaking police substation there and it is still a high crime area. I believe for the most part the "undesirable people are connected with a lower income level and when and area is revitalized and new things are built the cost of living in that area would in turn increase causing those undesirable people to leave and find another place. But then they would just become a problem for another area, and the good people in that same income level, would be forced out as well. I do think the stores and condos being built to the north of regency will help the area. Of course though, we as a city have a problem with just using an area of town then when it gets old, we move on to the next new area, rather than revitalizing the area.
Quote from: stephenc on May 07, 2008, 10:13:40 AM
I dont know any easy solution. I dont think an increased police force will really do it. Regency has a freaking police substation there and it is still a high crime area. I believe for the most part the "undesirable people are connected with a lower income level and when and area is revitalized and new things are built the cost of living in that area would in turn increase causing those undesirable people to leave and find another place. But then they would just become a problem for another area, and the good people in that same income level, would be forced out as well. I do think the stores and condos being built to the north of regency will help the area. Of course though, we as a city have a problem with just using an area of town then when it gets old, we move on to the next new area, rather than revitalizing the area.
Well said Stephen and I agreee; however, City and County leadership are responsible for monitoring these types of shortfalls and shortcomings within the City and County, fixing them, and ensuring that the image and livelihood of that area is kept at second to none levels for the citizens. And we know what our current City leadership is renowned for.......for making the wrong decisions and not listening to the citizens.
Heights Unknown
Quote from: stephendare on May 06, 2008, 04:58:04 PM
Stephenc, that is one of the most discussed complaints about regency mall.
What would you propose to help it?
Perhaps the best way to help Regency is for those of us who consider ourselves "desireable" to continue shopping there. If we all pass by Regency to go to SJTC, it will never stand a chance.
Well I dont think there is one best way. But continueing to shop there is a good idea. But its is difficult. Why shop at Walmart when you have Target right down the road?
[/quote]
Perhaps the best way to help Regency is for those of us who consider ourselves "desireable" to continue shopping there. If we all pass by Regency to go to SJTC, it will never stand a chance.
[/quote]
That is the solution to the city as a whole, don't you think?
That and recognizing that criminal behavior occurs on all income levels. It is just less sophisticated in poorer neighborhoods. No law-abiding citizen wants crime around him, no matter how much money is in his pocket. But it is hard to deal with crime in poorer neighborhoods because everyone wants to a.) either contain it there (if all the criminals are at Regency, then they will leave the other malls alone) and b.) the tendency to throw the baby out with the bathwater -- see Springfield for illustration, and the lack of faith resulting from that sort of discrimination.
I'm not a sociologist or a city planner. Just some observations.
And yes, it really is a class war.
I've got an idea:
Why don't we just bulldoze the damn thing and plant trees there?
There is much more than enough housing and area in Jacksonville for all the residents we have. Heck, we could probably take every vagrant in the city and give them their own house! (we certainly could give them an unfurnished condo by the river. . . guess that was a bad investment, huh?)
The only way to fix the Jacksonville disease of using up neighborhoods like WalMarts and moving on is to raze the neighborhood to the dirt and plant over it. Brentwood, Arlington and most of Oceanway and Mandarin seem like good starting points.
Waiting for the flames,
Michael
And by "thing" I mean approximately all of Arlington east of Jacksonville University.
Quote from: gmpalmer on May 08, 2008, 12:51:00 PM
I've got an idea:
Why don't we just bulldoze the damn thing and plant trees there?
There is much more than enough housing and area in Jacksonville for all the residents we have. Heck, we could probably take every vagrant in the city and give them their own house! (we certainly could give them an unfurnished condo by the river. . . guess that was a bad investment, huh?)
The only way to fix the Jacksonville disease of using up neighborhoods like WalMarts and moving on is to raze the neighborhood to the dirt and plant over it. Brentwood, Arlington and most of Oceanway and Mandarin seem like good starting points.
Waiting for the flames,
Michael
And by "thing" I mean approximately all of Arlington east of Jacksonville University.
Its being tried and its failing. See this thread:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,2016.0.html
Dude. Apples and oranges. We have, what 10, 15 times their population? And an economic base that is pretty much solid. We're not some weird boomtown in the midwest built on a swamp.
Apples to apples in terms that the idea of completely ripping out a neighborhood the size of Arlington (its still a pretty densely populated suburban area) and replanting it with trees won't go anywhere.
QuoteA plan in Youngstown aims to move residents out of the city's most deserted areas. The hitch: Home owners won't budge - even for $50,000.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (CNNMoney.com) -- When the city of Youngstown, Ohio, proposed incentives to move people out of declining neighborhoods, it sounded like a good idea - in theory.
The city hoped to lure holdouts living on nearly empty blocks and relocate them to more lively areas, as part of its plan to remake itself in the wake of the steel industry's departure and the foreclosure crisis. It's already cleared some lots for things like playgrounds.
Now Youngstown wants to close entire streets and bulldoze abandoned properties so it can shut down city services like street lighting, police patrols and garbage pick-ups that it can no longer afford to maintain.
To do this on a large scale, the city needs to get about 100 residents to relocate. Each is eligible for $50,000 in incentives - plenty, in this town, to buy a new home and move. The hitch: Youngstowners don't seem to want to leave their homes, no matter how blighted or abandoned the neighborhood may be.
"I'm East Side born and East Side bred and when I die, I'll be East Side dead," said Rufus Hudson, a director of work force development at Youngstown State University. "We love our side of town. The same people who watched me grow are watching my children grow."
http://money.cnn.com/2008/04/15/real_estate/Youngstown_plan_roadblock/index.htm?postversion=2008042411
You're implying I care about giving them a choice.
Eminent domain them away.
QuoteEminent domain them away.
Eminent domain would bankrupt the city. JaxPort is finding out right now, its not as easy as it sounds.
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/050608/bus_275704265.shtml
Besides, all of Arlington isn't in decline. Compared to some areas of town, its doing well.
Stephen -- we wouldn't get rid of Ft. Caroline, it's already good and woody.
Lakelander -- before we eminent domain, we readjust all the market values to 1/10 of their current standing because of blight and violence. If we're going to use our tools like hammers then why be shy about it?
The problem is that there is no solution. The poor will always need a place to live and, unfortunately, areas where poor people live tend towards 1) public violence and 2) the absence of investment. As a Northsider, I can be delighted that folks are moving out of my part of town and into Arlington but that doesn't solve Arlington's problems. Perhaps the only real answer to the problem is radical de-centralization -- make Duval County back into 10 or 20 cities.
But I am a big fan of bulldozing.
Poor doesn't equal blight in rural areas.
It tends to equal blight in urban areas.
It's pretty simple, really. Blight and public violence happen when there is no sense of self-sufficiency or hope among a lot of people smooshed together. See Rome 150BC to 500AD. In rural areas there aren't enough folks to tip the hat towards violence. Also, the job losses in rural areas are marginally less soul-damaging because there has been, since at least the Civil War, a sense that one can "move to the city" for betterment -- i.e. if you're already in the city and the jobs disappear, where are you going to go? And because economic well-being in a city is totally dependent upon development and investment (wheras in rural areas there is theoretically agrarianism to fall back on), when these things collapse one loses all sense of 1) hope 2) faith in society and 3) faith in the government. When that happens, public violence follows.
Btw -- what I mean by "public violence" is the use of violence outside of the home or place of work (muggings, drive-bys, carjackings, stranger rape, etc.) -- the stuff that "makes the news" The private violence of white collar areas is often just as bad but since it tends to not be reported (for a lot of reasons) it doesn't have the same effect on the psyche.
More "depression lust"?
What's with the planters going in up and down Rogero Rd? I have never in my life seen anything so crazy. They put in islands with palms about every 20 feet or so and staggered from side to side, not in the median but between the road and the sidewalk in the right of way. Forget about riding safely by bike.
Traffic Calming, I believe the term is.
It's supposed to slow cars down.
Not to dredge up an old thread, but when did the Barnes and Noble near Regency close? We went out there a couple weeks ago and it was gone. [EDIT: nevermind, just found an old thread that answered my question.] Circuit City, of course, closed awhile ago... is anything in its place? Or is it a big, empty, custom-built building?
We wandered into the mall and wandered right back out again. Shudder.
My fiancee worked at The Sports Authority 3 or 4 years ago, and they seemed to be "updating" that shopping center recently, but the giant parking lot still gives it a very empty, desperate feeling... and don't get me started on "the new" CompUSA. Can anything save this area? Or will we have to wait for the "Arlington Revitalization Plan" in fifteen or 20 years?
A massive remodeling of the mall would help. Until that happens, things in the immediate area will continue to decline.
I think it starts and ends with the mall property. Unfortunately, General Growth is not in good financial shape to redevelop the property.
I'm pretty familiar with the area. I was only speaking from a short term perspective (5 years or less) in solidifying the retail market, not redeveloping infrastructure. If you're talking about adding rail down Arlington Expressway to redevelop the area, that's most likely a 20 (if you're lucky) to40 year process from start to finish.
Wasn't that a charette? There is no official adopted redevelopment plan for the area. The city is currently in the process of doing a visioning plan for the Arlington planning district. However, it is not complete at this moment.
When the Matthews Bridge gets replaced, it should have some form of rail incorporated into it. That would be the start of rail down the Arlington Xway AND Atlantic to the Beach!
See this MJ thread to witness the roots of today's Regency mess:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,5600.0.html
(http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/rfisher/RF00209.jpg)
Replacing the Matthews is probably 20 years away.
Quote from: thelakelander on September 05, 2009, 02:59:28 PM
Replacing the Matthews is probably 20 years away.
The money spent on 9B would be better put toward replacing the Matthews Bridge sooner, than later. Another example of misplaced priorities. TPO needs to overlook St. Johns County politics.
Is it possible to have a private company replace the Matthews if the new bridge collects toll?
Quote from: thelakelander on September 05, 2009, 03:06:36 PM
Is it possible to have a private company replace the Matthews if the new bridge collects toll?
I don't think Arlington residents would ever allow a toll to return to the Matthews. They were leaders in getting rid of tolls to begin with. It's business as usual - everyone wants everything for nothing! 8)
FYI...the Mathews Bridge is also high on the TPO Prioirty list....and will likely be funded in the 2035 Cost Feasible Plan (as it was in the 2030 Plan)...but the work that was done last year should allow the existing bridge to last another 15-20 years.....when it is replaced, there is expected to be some type of transit envelope included.
Quote from: stjr on September 05, 2009, 03:02:20 PM
The money spent on 9B would be better put toward replacing the Matthews Bridge sooner, than later. Another example of misplaced priorities. TPO needs to overlook St. Johns County politics.
Not that I'm a big fan of SR 9B...but why should a regional transportation organization overlook the top priority project for one of its local governments...and for that matter, the fastest growing one?
Quote from: tufsu1 on September 05, 2009, 08:59:52 PM
Quote from: stjr on September 05, 2009, 03:02:20 PM
The money spent on 9B would be better put toward replacing the Matthews Bridge sooner, than later. Another example of misplaced priorities. TPO needs to overlook St. Johns County politics.
Not that I'm a big fan of SR 9B...but why should a regional transportation organization overlook the top priority project for one of its local governments...and for that matter, the fastest growing one?
If TPO is truly a REGIONAL agency, then it should make decisions that provide the most benefit to the OVERALL community and the most people. Promoting urban sprawl for people yet to come, if they ever do at this point (at least, perhaps, decades away), over the hundred to two hundred thousand people or more that might benefit from a new Matthews Bridge seems to me to be an incorrect decision.
It's a cold blooded fact that most TPO decisions need to benefit Jax because that's where most activity is located and where most of the regions population resides. It also happens to be the most effective choice because road building to support future urban sprawl is poor planning, inefficient, and corrosive to our quality of life.
Really, TPO should be taking the 9B money and putting it into mass transit infrastructure, even before a new Matthews Bridge, unless it's to create a new mass transit river crossing.
P.S. Even if I look at this from St. Johns County perspective, 9B is a waste. It's been designed by politicians, not planners. Improving I-95 interchanges and creating 8 lanes would do St. Johns a lot better. Maybe a few more east-west and north-south local arterial roads that network into I-95. Don't get me started on the Outer Beltway. It's more of the same.
Quote from: stephendare on September 05, 2009, 09:50:04 PM
Why is it that the planners are the hardest ones to convince that their sprawl based planning is destroying the fabric of the communities they serve?
Stephen, one word, MONEY.
I offended Lake, Ock, and a few others a long time ago when I suggested that not all planners and consultants worked to better the community's best interests above their own paychecks. But, like any profession, there are all kinds, and this one is no different. Yes, there are lots of "good guys", just not enough.
I encourage all of you to do some research and get involved....what you will find is that things are changing, and possibly at a pretty quick pace.
BTW....it is likely that the money for 9B will come from FDOT funds...most of which can not be reprioritized to transit...whether any of us like it or not, there are funding sources and the money can't just be moved from one pot to another....its just reality!
Quote from: stjr on September 05, 2009, 09:36:20 PM
If TPO is truly a REGIONAL agency, then it should make decisions that provide the most benefit to the OVERALL community and the most people.
Just remember that most of these agency boards are comprised of local elected officials...that often only get re-elected by taking care of their constituency.
Quote from: stephendare on September 05, 2009, 10:10:45 PM
Who are the elected officials on the TPO?
you can look it up...under the "About Us" tab
http://www.northfloridatpo.com/
ok...you're entitled to your opinion regarding the poor planning....but just beacuse you didn't know about something doesn't mean that no citizen knows about it.
What I do agree with is that Duval County has enough representation on the board to steer the discussion...but it does require everyone to speak with one voice.
Many parts of Jacksonville are becoming bad and crime-ridden. Why the sudden focus on Arlington-Regency? Personal opinion....stop with all the Section 8 housing. It destroys neighborhoods (I live in one and can personally attest to its property value drops)...
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/business/story/978675.html (http://www.charlotteobserver.com/business/story/978675.html)
Charlotte's Eastland Mall, like Regency, was successful and drew shoppers from any miles in it's younger days. I remember my sunday school class driving from 115 miles away, to shop there in the '70's.
The mall has fallen on hard times in the last 1-2 decades. The situation is so bad that the city is considering buying the entire site so that it can hopefully be demolished and redeveloped.
Could this be the futue of Regency Mall ?
I stay in the Arlington area (On University around the corner from Justina) and I will admit that area is horrible. But there seems to be some changes happening. Alot of those apartments in my area (including mine) are half empty. People are moving out, and no ones moving in. I think this is a prime opportunity for Arlington to get cleaned up and attract some decent residents. I am also moving my self to the baymeadows area because of the crime in the area. All you here is fighting, arguing and gun shoots at night and I am at my wit's end.
As far as the mall, it saddens me to see what is happening. I practically grew up in there and have some very fond memories. As far as the so called "thug element" and "feeling safe". "feeling safe" is just that. A feeling. You can go anywhere and be robbed, raped, etc. It can happen at The Avenues, SJTC, RCMP, etc. Crime is everywhere. You can not run from it.
Quote from: DavidWilliams on September 05, 2009, 11:25:40 PM
Many parts of Jacksonville are becoming bad and crime-ridden. Why the sudden focus on Arlington-Regency? Personal opinion....stop with all the Section 8 housing. It destroys neighborhoods (I live in one and can personally attest to its property value drops)...
I agree. I hate to, but I do. Section 8 housing has spread like a virus. Im getting ready to move in two weeks and I ask the apartments, " Do you accept section 8" and they told me no. That was my green light to move! LOL
Quote from: stephendare on September 05, 2009, 09:50:04 PM
Why is it that the planners are the hardest ones to convince that their sprawl based planning is destroying the fabric of the communities they serve?
"If a man's paycheck depends on his not understanding something, you can rely upon his not understanding it."
-Upton Sinclair
Quote from: duvaldude08 on February 12, 2010, 12:21:07 PM
I agree. I hate to, but I do. Section 8 housing has spread like a virus. Im getting ready to move in two weeks and I ask the apartments, " Do you accept section 8" and they told me no. That was my green light to move! LOL
hopefully you'll never need assistance
Quote from: tufsu1 on February 12, 2010, 02:10:44 PM
Quote from: duvaldude08 on February 12, 2010, 12:21:07 PM
I agree. I hate to, but I do. Section 8 housing has spread like a virus. Im getting ready to move in two weeks and I ask the apartments, " Do you accept section 8" and they told me no. That was my green light to move! LOL
hopefully you'll never need assistance
Im not buy any means talking down on anyone who NEEDS assistance. Heck my sister works two jobs and two kids and still needs assistance. However, we all know the system is broken. A lot of people on assistance are just lazy and they take advantage of the system. And Im sorry, but the places have stayed that accept section 8 have been been ghetto and very dangerous. (where I stay at now accepts section 8 so I know first hand).
Quote from: finehoe on February 12, 2010, 12:52:55 PM
"If a man's paycheck depends on his not understanding something, you can rely upon his not understanding it."
-Upton Sinclair
Great quote, finehoe. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Jacksonville, Florida!
Quote from: duvaldude08 on February 16, 2010, 10:57:27 AM
This just in. Simon Properites Just made a public offer to aquire regency mall.
http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2010/02/15/daily7.html
So what does this mean for Regency? The possibility that it will possibly remain a mall and they will do upgrades and improvements to make it work?
"HU"
I would like to make a comment on a recent post with the following quotes:
1: "The housing prices in that area have always been affordable if not downright cheap in areas (see Arlington Rd./Cesery Blvd.) which attracts those with limited income."
Does this include teachers, since they are definitely a population with a limited income? Firemen and women and law enforcements officials are also on the "limited income" list. Does this mean to say that we are among the undesirables who choose to live in a nice neighborhood in Arlington because we have "limited income"
2. "those that just need a cheap place to stay". There are a ton of these in Southside, as well as many other neighborhoods in this "city".
3. There are very few neighborhoods with HOAs which makes it a prime place for those who don't want to keep up the appearance of their homes or who prefer to work on their vehicles in their front lawn. "
I personally abhor HOA's...they do nothing for the area except make it more expensive to live there. "Undesirables" are more attracted to these places often because they represent an area with a bigger loot to take, and how many HOA's have 24 hour security patrol? Rentals have also become very common in HOA neighborhoods since the economic decline, so "deeded community" means nothing anymore.
Someone who does not live in Arlington should not make comments which may offend the residents there who do care. I agree, the area needs some revitalizing, and the mall area may well be one. I hate going to the SJTC mainly because there is no place to park and it is sweltering in the summer. I would much rather shop and frequent local small businesses than chains.
I like the plan described, but agree it must happen realistically. Perhaps Springfield is a good plan that can help Arlington: there are so many unique areas here and local businesses that have the most excellent service and wares, there just needs to be a few more of them and some rejuvenation. Also, people have to stop thinking the grass is greener at the beach...there isn't any grass and most hard working people like teachers and law enforcement can't afford it anyway.
D
Just an observation that I'm pretty shocked the mall owner hasn't already started the process of paying out the remaining tenants and redeveloping the property into some other use. It is doomed to fail as a mall, given the Town Center mall that opened up a couple miles away and took all of Regency's business. I would also observe that had Regency Centers had any real vision at any time during the 2000s, they would have already have redeveloped the Regency Square mall site into what the Town Center mall is now, since it was obvious from visiting other cities that outdoor "town-like" malls were what was becoming popular with shoppers. Had they done that, which really didn't take much foresight, they would be enjoying a boom. Money wouldn't have been an issue in the mid 2000s either, if you had a pulse you could borrow money. It's too late now, though, since one already opened up right down the street and the market is already saturated.
Business dynamics change, and you either change with them or you're done. Regency is done, as a mall anyway.
I agree. Its time to for them to redevelop or they will not last. Its impressive that they held on this long, but if they dont keep up with the times, it will be doomed. And I would HATE to see our oldest mall close for good. I hope they do something soon.
We have come full circle, haven't we? During downtown's salad days, people schlepped back and forth between their cars and a plethora of stores, restaurants and other establishments. When the enclosed shopping mall arrived, folks were enamored of the idea of a one stop shopping experience where they can pop by a mall and run a myriad of errands without much exposure to the elements. Now, we are building 'Town Centers' that give suburbanites the same experience of shopping downtown, but in a Disney's Main Street U.S.A. kind of way. Now, it's all the rage to replicate downtown in a sterile environment while the real downtown continues to rot. Crazy, is it not?
Quote from: Jaxson on July 10, 2011, 02:13:04 PM
We have come full circle, haven't we? During downtown's salad days, people schlepped back and forth between their cars and a plethora of stores, restaurants and other establishments. When the enclosed shopping mall arrived, folks were enamored of the idea of a one stop shopping experience where they can pop by a mall and run a myriad of errands without much exposure to the elements. Now, we are building 'Town Centers' that give suburbanites the same experience of shopping downtown, but in a Disney's Main Street U.S.A. kind of way. Now, it's all the rage to replicate downtown in a sterile environment while the real downtown continues to rot. Crazy, is it not?
VERY crazy
The developer probably hasn't done anything because they are broke and a large scale redevelopment at that site would be a huge financial risk in this market.
Quote from: stephendare on May 05, 2008, 10:35:58 PM
I would say that now is the time to start collecting photos of the nice houses and beautiful areas of Arlington so that the next generation of restorationists have something to work with.
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on July 10, 2011, 01:42:54 PM
Just an observation that I'm pretty shocked the mall owner hasn't already started the process of paying out the remaining tenants and redeveloping the property into some other use. It is doomed to fail as a mall, given the Town Center mall that opened up a couple miles away and took all of Regency's business. I would also observe that had Regency Centers had any real vision at any time during the 2000s, they would have already have redeveloped the Regency Square mall site into what the Town Center mall is now, since it was obvious from visiting other cities that outdoor "town-like" malls were what was becoming popular with shoppers. Had they done that, which really didn't take much foresight, they would be enjoying a boom. Money wouldn't have been an issue in the mid 2000s either, if you had a pulse you could borrow money. It's too late now, though, since one already opened up right down the street and the market is already saturated.
Business dynamics change, and you either change with them or you're done. Regency is done, as a mall anyway.
Regency Centers does not own or manage Regency Square Mall. I believe it is a General Growth property, but I would have to wait until tomorrow to get the specifics. I wouldn't be surprised to see GGP or any owner "abandon" it and have it go back to the original lender. It could be a great redevelopment, but the demographics aren't there and no lender would even come close to touching that property. You doubtfully could go to non-traditional sources, but they are rare in markets like Jacksonville. There is most likely no hope for a while. The area in general is in major decline, and there is little hope or ability for the city to even step in. In a more positively dynamic market like Denver or Nashville, then maybe something could be done in more short term. (and these two markets have been tested numerous times on old mall redevelopments)
And just as a side, Regency Centers almost exclusively owns community/neighborhood centers with grocery anchors, mostly Publix or Kroger or other market dominant grocers (HEB, Giant Eagle, Safeway, Whole Foods, Harris Teeter, etc). Regency Mall has history with Regency Centers, more aptly Hap Stein, way back when, but Regency Centers is a completely different company now with shareholders and national exposure.
The owner is GGP.
Quote from: thelakelander on July 10, 2011, 05:49:24 PM
The developer probably hasn't done anything because they are broke and a large scale redevelopment at that site would be a huge financial risk in this market.
I agree. The market is terriable. The best Regency probably could do for now is try to retain the teanets they already have. Just keep Sears, Belk and JcPenney in tact and they should be able to survive. (for the short term) When general growth was going through bankruptcy, they stated none of their properties are in danger of closing. (including Regency).
It's pretty clear that Arlington is experiencing a decline, such as many other neighborhoods have gone through. I think the wider Regency area is going to remain a workable commercial area for a while, if not just because of the huge amount of traffic that goes through there, regardless of how the mall does. The mall is a different story.
Quote from: Tacachale on July 11, 2011, 11:53:46 AM
It's pretty clear that Arlington is experiencing a decline, such as many other neighborhoods have gone through. I think the wider Regency area is going to remain a workable commercial area for a while, if not just because of the huge amount of traffic that goes through there, regardless of how the mall does. The mall is a different story.
I think that the regency area will do fine. I think people sometimes over think the whole Regency thing. Even now, I still actual go to the Regency Area. I stay around the corner from the avenues and never go there. I guess because I grew up during Regency's hay days and Regency is all I know.
When I think of a dead mall, I think of Gateway, St. Augustine's Ponce De Leon Mall or Titusville's Miracle City Mall.
Gateway Town Center:
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/gateway_mall/DCP_9356.jpg)
Ponce De Leon Mall:
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Ponce-De-Leon-Mall-St/P1270761/599797980_Ytdap-L.jpg)
Miracle City Mall:
(http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=LL&Date=20110723&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=107235002&Ref=AR&Profile=1326&MaxW=728)
QuoteWhen Miracle City Mall opened in 1968, the space program was thriving and Titusville was a boom town. Forty-three years later, the mall has only two businesses in its quiet interior.
http://www.theledger.com/article/20110723/NEWS/107235002/1326?Title=Miracle-City-Mall-Was-Once-a-Bright-Spot-in-Titusville
After taking a walk through Regency the other day, I don't think things are to the point of no return. While the west side of the mall has a ton of vacancies, the east side looks to be in pretty good shape, although the decor (ex. color scheme, floor tile, exterior, etc.) of the entire place looks like you're stepping back into the 1990s. Given that the place still is situated in a great location for a regional retail center, I think keeping it as retail has merit. All it needs is a makeover that preserves/upgrades the east mall and remaining department stores while converting the west mall into an open air lifestyle center with some tenants not in the Jacksonville area. There are successful examples of this all over the country and state. Renovated a few years back, Cordova Mall in Pensacola is one good example of this concept. When that mall lost Montgomery Ward, Simon ended up building an open air component in its place and renovated the look of the entire complex:
QuoteSimon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG), the country’s largest owner, developer and manager of high quality retail real estate announced today an exciting enhancement of Cordova Mall.
Common area features/amenities to be addressed as part of the interior and exterior renovation include seating, restrooms, redesigned mall entrances, graphic signage, landscaping, lighting, flooring and a covered customer drop-off entrance.
Certain mall amenities noted above will receive major upgrades. Examples of features/amenities to be given special treatment include introduction of expansive seating areas featuring soft seating, furniture and planters and the addition of new restrooms that will include family lounges.
Specific projects include:
-Creation of a new food court area.
-Redesign of the mall’s center court area.
-Construction of new restrooms. These “Grand†restrooms will be larger, incorporating many family-friendly amenities including a family restroom, a nursing room, an infant changing room and a lounge area.
-Redesign of the north mall entrance to include a covered customer drop-off area.
-Carpeted soft seating areas added throughout the mall for customer comfort and convenience.
-New flooring installed throughout the mall to include carpet and tile.
-An updated Guest Services kiosk and retail carts and fixtures.
-Addition of attractive way-finding signs, both interior and exterior.
-Modification of ceiling architecture creating a more open appearance.
One of the highlights of the renovation will be a relocated and redeveloped food court. The significant features of the new food court include a circular ceiling design with circular skylight, modern wall and floor finishes, state-of-the-art lighting and acoustics, new graphics and landscaping. The food court’s seating area will be much more spacious with a capacity of 350 seats. Eight tenant spaces will be available in the redesigned food court.
“Through this renovation we intend to examine a myriad of ways through which Cordova Mall can even better serve the needs of our customers, whether they are here to shop, to be entertained, or just to enjoy a welcoming and comfortable environment,†said Julie Harrell, area mall manager.
“While we intend to focus on improvements that will appeal to all segments of our shopper base, we will place special emphasis on family-friendly amenities, especially since families account for much of the region’s population base and growth and Cordova Mall is such a popular destination for families to spend time together,†Harrell added.
Improvements are expected to begin in a few weeks and that work performed will be done in such a way as to minimize interference or customer inconvenience during the mall’s operating hours. Construction is scheduled to be finished by mid-2008.
The 850,000-square-foot regional mall, anchored by Belk, Dillard’s, Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond and World Market originally opened in August, 1971. The mall expanded in 1986 and 1987 with the addition of Parisian and DH Holmes. The lifestyle component began in 2004 with Panera Bread and JoS. A. Bank. It continued in 2005 with Romano’s Macaroni Grill and Moe’s Southwest Grill. It will be completed in 2007 with the addition of Coldwater Creek, Ann Taylor Loft and Chico’s to the front of the mall.
http://pensacolad2.blogspot.com/2007/10/cordova-mall-renovation-news-release.htmlSince that one worked, Pensacola's other mall is getting ready to undergo a similar transformation. However, this one will be more extensive. That mall's owners plan to keep the three existing anchors, demolish the entire enclosed interior and rebuild an outdoor SJTC style lifestyle center in its place:
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UJQzmnjudgM/S4IKX0fZHCI/AAAAAAAAC9A/FTrwqvjldUs/s1600/Image114.jpg)
University Mall interiorhttp://skycity2.blogspot.com/2010/02/university-mall-pensacola-fl.html
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/fvcrew22/UniversityMall.jpg)
University Mall redevelopment conceptSmyrna, Georgia's (Atlanta) Cumberland Mall did a similar thing when Macy's and JCPenney closed a few years back:
QuoteIn 2003 Cumberland Mall lost its first anchor, Macy's (formerly Davison's). The vacant store resulted in a major redevelopment plan. The redevelopment included the demolition of the old Macys, which was replaced with a new mall entrance complete with an open-air wing. The wing includes five new restaurants: Maggiano's Little Italy, The Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Stoney River Legendary Steaks and Ted's Montana Grill. Other changes included the demolition of the JCPenney, which planned to close their store, for the construction of a new Costco. The changes also included a complete interior renovation with new skylights and an expanded food court. These changes were planned to keep the mall competitive even with only two regular department stores remaining: Macy's (former Rich's) and Sears. All the renovations were completed in early 2007.
I think Regency's owners would find similar success if they can muster up the cash to pull it off.
''I hate to be the bearer of bad news to a lot well-intentioned people, but probably no amount of righteous indignation is going to stop Garden Ridge from closing on Monument Boulevard and being replaced by a "poker room."
A para-mutuel company has a contract to buy the building and apparently meets the state's legal requirements to operate a poker room there, unless state regulators find some reason to stop it … which I doubt.''
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/406107/phil-fretz/2011-07-25/poker-looking-bright-side
This is an opinion blog, so, I'm not sure of all the facts. Interesting either way.
I was told the Garden Ridge was relocating. Apparently, the store from what I hear has serious roof problems and leaks all over the place. Whoever takes over is going to have to do some repair work.
Everything is in place for the GR to become a poker room.
I am bidding the job now, as we speak.
2 poker rooms, 1 VIP room, flex space, sushi bar, restaurant (buffet style), sports bar, etc...
I'm cool with a poker room opening there. Garden Ridge is an eye sore, in my opinion. If the new building has what NRW posted above, it should be an asset to Regency.
But don't get too excited about the exterior - it's still going to be a large, window-less box. The renderings only show some awnings added to the outside.
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on July 25, 2011, 10:57:39 AM
But don't get too excited about the exterior - it's still going to be a large, window-less box. The renderings only show some awnings added to the outside.
What about the landscaping and the parking lot? One of the worst aspects of that eyesore is the terrible condition of the parking lot. Any plans to clean it up?
Quote from: thelakelander on July 24, 2011, 04:54:53 PM
When I think of a dead mall, I think of Gateway, St. Augustine's Ponce De Leon Mall or Titusville's Miracle City Mall.
I was just in Titusville the week before last and went to that dead-ass mall. Of course,
everything in Titusville is dead. It's one place that makes even Jacksonville look like a thriving metropolis!
Quote from: Bativac on July 25, 2011, 12:57:54 PM
What about the landscaping and the parking lot? One of the worst aspects of that eyesore is the terrible condition of the parking lot. Any plans to clean it up?
I can't tell from the site plan and I don't have any of the landscaping or civil plans.
From experience, they'll probably just re-asphalt what's existing, clean up the overhead lights and put in some new trees, but that's nothing more than a guess.
They should tear down the GR store building, tear up the parking lot and remake the land into woods.
Quote from: urbaknight on July 26, 2011, 02:07:21 PM
They should tear down the GR store building, tear up the parking lot and remake the land into woods.
I can see it now: A thick grove of crape myrtle and non-native palms.
It would be better than a bad driver's paradice, and a pedestrian nightmare.
They need a Macy's in there! Sorry, couldn't resist:)
I think they could tear down 1/2 of regency (from belk to sears) and move sears over to one of the vacant anchor units. It seems that the departments stores stay quite busy, at least on the weekends. (JCP always has a line at the registers) and the food court appears to do well.
They could then do something with that part they tore down. Don't know what:)
They could rip the dead section down and infill it with an outdoor lifestyle center featuring restuarants (ex. like Red Robin, etc.) and retail anchors (ex. like Macy's, Bass Pro, etc.) not currently present in the Jax market. The only question would be if GGP has the money to pull it off.
If we could get a transit line down the middle of the Arlington Expressway to Regency then at least all of us would start going, just to ride the train...
Seriously though, things are happening out there. I'm working on a conversion of the old Toys R Us to a car dealership. Not that I'm excited about more cars on the road, but I do like to see old buildings re-purposed instead of more greenfield development.
Someday, the Town Center will be yesterday's mall. The owners of Regency Mall would be wise to position themselves to be the replacement. An outdoor living concept would be great.
Doug, is the Toys R Us conversion in addition to, or part of, the Sound Advice conversion that was in the paper a couple days ago?
Quote from: Charles Hunter on August 01, 2011, 09:00:38 PM
Doug, is the Toys R Us conversion in addition to, or part of, the Sound Advice conversion that was in the paper a couple days ago?
Yeah Im confused now. The article says sound advice is being coverted into a car delarship, and the toys r us is building is under contract?
Quote from: coredumped on August 01, 2011, 06:13:31 PM
They need a Macy's in there! Sorry, couldn't resist:)
I think they could tear down 1/2 of regency (from belk to sears) and move sears over to one of the vacant anchor units. It seems that the departments stores stay quite busy, at least on the weekends. (JCP always has a line at the registers) and the food court appears to do well.
They could then do something with that part they tore down. Don't know what:)
Interesting that you said that...
That was the original mall
From Belk to Sears was added in the 70's
Quote from: duvaldude08 on August 01, 2011, 11:16:40 PM
Quote from: Charles Hunter on August 01, 2011, 09:00:38 PM
Doug, is the Toys R Us conversion in addition to, or part of, the Sound Advice conversion that was in the paper a couple days ago?
Yeah Im confused now. The article says sound advice is being coverted into a car delarship, and the toys r us is building is under contract?
They are separate projects.
Quote from: avonjax on August 02, 2011, 02:55:14 AM
Quote from: coredumped on August 01, 2011, 06:13:31 PM
They need a Macy's in there! Sorry, couldn't resist:)
I think they could tear down 1/2 of regency (from belk to sears) and move sears over to one of the vacant anchor units. It seems that the departments stores stay quite busy, at least on the weekends. (JCP always has a line at the registers) and the food court appears to do well.
They could then do something with that part they tore down. Don't know what:)
Interesting that you said that...
That was the original mall
From Belk to Sears was added in the 70's
Wow, I had no idea! That definitely seems to be the more lively part of the mall. Walking from Belk to Sears it's pretty sad. I think if they moved all those tenants over to the west side of the mall, the mall would be pretty full.
Poor Regency Square; it was once the toast of the City. Oh well, can't stay on top forever (as America will soon find out).
"HU"
Yeah their major anchor stores stay extremely busy. As long as they stay in tact. Regency will live. When they start pulling out, they are in trouble.
So both the old Sound Advice and Toys R Us are going to be car dealerships?
The old Kia dealship on Atlantic has reopened as Southside Kia.
There was also news about the old Saturn dealership on Atlantic is also reopening as a different car dealership.
The Sound Advice is going to be a JD Byrider. There's a sign up and they've already begun to paint it.
Not my first choice, but better than empty:)
QuoteYeah their major anchor stores stay extremely busy. As long as they stay in tact. Regency will live. When they start pulling out, they are in trouble.
Can always create a church with the real estate.
Anyone been into the huge consignment shop that opened up in the former Montgomery Ward space?
It's got a lot of unusual stuff in it...
http://www.myarlingtonmonthly.com/2011/09/amazing-consignment/
I have "heard" about lowes closing, but nothing official. I never heard about compusa closing.
cd - note that stephen's was a repost from 2008; CompuUSA did close, to have the name taken over by TigerDirect; and I think Lowe's closed some stores around the country, but not the Regency (or any other Jax) store.
CompUSA was purchased by TigerDirect- it never closed. It moved the old CompUSA from the Southside to the SJTC.
Quote from: cline on December 31, 2011, 10:20:58 AM
CompUSA was purchased by TigerDirect- it never closed. It moved the old CompUSA from the Southside to the SJTC.
Yeah thats right. The one on southside Blvd closed.
Not surprising. I wonder how they will use the space?
Quote from: duvaldude08 on December 31, 2011, 11:22:47 AM
Quote from: cline on December 31, 2011, 10:20:58 AM
CompUSA was purchased by TigerDirect- it never closed. It moved the old CompUSA from the Southside to the SJTC.
Yeah thats right. The one on southside Blvd closed.
Not sure if "Southside" is referring to the one by Regency (on Arlington Expressway), but that one is also still open. CompUSA under Tiger Direct is an improvement over the previous CompUSA, and far and away better than Best Buy, especially where know-how is concerned.
Quote from: PeeJayEss on May 29, 2012, 01:38:13 PM
Quote from: duvaldude08 on December 31, 2011, 11:22:47 AM
Quote from: cline on December 31, 2011, 10:20:58 AM
CompUSA was purchased by TigerDirect- it never closed. It moved the old CompUSA from the Southside to the SJTC.
Yeah thats right. The one on southside Blvd closed.
Not sure if "Southside" is referring to the one by Regency (on Arlington Expressway), but that one is also still open. CompUSA under Tiger Direct is an improvement over the previous CompUSA, and far and away better than Best Buy, especially where know-how is concerned.
I was referring to the one that was on Southside Boulevard next to the Target. Same shopping center that Circuit City used to be in.
Now a Circle K Furniture has gone into that location.
Any updates on if/when the western portion of the mall might be demolished?
Quote from: FSBA on August 28, 2013, 10:43:27 PM
Any updates on if/when the western portion of the mall might be demolished?
Their site still has both sides of the mall listed, but only a few remain on the west side.
The sooner they can demo that side and give the place a refresh the better. The east side is doing OK it seems.
^ being that its currently marketed for sale, any old design/construction plans would most likely be completely done over by a new investor/buyer
Their facebook/twitter account is fairly active. I would have thought they would update their map. But perhaps you're right.
I believe that map is right ... At least from when i was there about a month ago. Did someone say it wasn't?
More bad news. The Sports Authority across the street from Regency is also closing:
http://members.jacksonville.com/business/2013-12-01/story/sunday-notebook-sports-authority-arlington-expressway-close
That is the concerning thing for Regency. At first the dieoff was just limited to the mall. But now all of the outlying areas are losing anchors as well. When was the last major new development in the area before Best Bet?
Development is just moving down the street. Academy Sports' (basically the replacement for Sports Authority) new store in that section of town is three miles east at Sleiman's shopping center at Atlantic and Kernan. It will soon be joined by a new Belk, which will most likely result in Regency's Belk shutting down.
Let Khan buy it and turn it into the Jags indoor training facility!
Quote from: FSBA on December 01, 2013, 04:48:27 PM
That is the concerning thing for Regency. At first the dieoff was just limited to the mall. But now all of the outlying areas are losing anchors as well. When was the last major new development in the area before Best Bet?
Build out of Kendalltown just north of Regency. (WalMart, Bealls, Lowes)
Jacksonville Chrysler Dodge of Regency in the old Toys R Us location
The owner of the strip mall on Swelo (TigerDirect, Sports Authority) across from Regency just completed a refit of the property. They did lose Office Depot a few months ago, but they just wanted less square footage and landed around the corner next to Olive Garden.
Fifth Third finished the buildout of a new branch where the Houlihans used to be.
Chalk another declining area up to sprawl, or as I call it, "Operation Rolling Ghetto".
Regency has also been hurt over the past few years, and especially the past few months, by the closing of the Mathews Bridge
I am actually okay with this, IF it means we are one step closer to this and not some urban wasteland.
(http://i.imgur.com/t2HfNbd.jpg)
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-feb-rethinking-regency-mall (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-feb-rethinking-regency-mall)
That vision plan is all dreams. It's hard to make something like that remotely realistic when you're drawing over other people's properties.
The Dillard's Clearance in Regency had closed not that long ago.
Quote from: thelakelander on December 01, 2013, 01:57:06 PM
More bad news. The Sports Authority across the street from Regency is also closing:
http://members.jacksonville.com/business/2013-12-01/story/sunday-notebook-sports-authority-arlington-expressway-close
Don't get me wrong, it's always sad when a store like that closes; Although I dunno what it is about Sports Authority, they just don't do it for me; When I go in there, and can't seem to find anything worthwhile. IMO there are far better ascending options out there, like Dick's and Academy.
Quote from: I-10east on December 01, 2013, 10:10:43 PM
The Dillard's Clearance in Regency had closed not that long ago.
Dillard's is still open at Regency.
^^^I was talking about the Dillard's Clearance.
^ same thing dude
A DILLARD'S CLEARANCE CENTER isn't the same as a DILLARD'S. I tell yall what, go to that location during 'operating hours' and tell me if it's open. I went there not all that long ago, and it had a covering wall in front of the main outdoor entrance; I went their prior to that when it was open, and noticed a dramatic decrease in inventory than normal. I'm like ninety percent sure that it's closed; I actually go to Regency time to time unlike many people nowadays.
You may have went to the mall at a time that they were not open. Here's their hours:
QuoteDillards Regency Square Opening Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Wednesday: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Thursday: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Friday: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Saturday: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sunday: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
http://www.storelocate.us/dillards/regency-square.html
^^^ Right on. I'll be very surprised if they hang around too much longer. It feels like a "Going out of business" sale atmosphere with emptied shelves etc.
Yeah, it reminds me of a run down TJ Maxx or Ross.
Quote from: thelakelander on December 01, 2013, 09:52:55 PM
That vision plan is all dreams. It's hard to make something like that remotely realistic when you're drawing over other people's properties.
Not to mention the area's struggling demographic shift over the past generation (declining avg. incomes and increased crime). A pretty plan isn't going to solve those challenges, and no white knight developer is going to swoop in to revitalize the area under the circumstances. When General Growth Properties went through Chapter 11 recently it put Regency into a newly formed subsidiary company of "bad assets" because of the low occupancy in the property and little hope for improvement in the foreseeable future. Regency/Arlington has much bigger problems than any master plan can solve. Address the problems first (no idea how) and then redevelopment will follow.