Robert Montgomery: The Trouble With Regency Square Mall

[Metro Jacksonville]

Robert Montgomery: The Trouble With Regency Square Mall



It is funny that a writer for the Florida Times-Union can talk about the fact that the Regency Square Mall is largely vacant but can ignore the large scale blight and poverty of the Arlington area completely. So thus a tragedy exists that a large retail space is having a hard time, in today's wretched economy, with little thought as to why.


Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-sep-robert-montgomery-the-trouble-with-regency-square-mall

[funguy]

What Regency Square Mall needs is the magic touch of Toney Sleiman 

[IrvAdams]

I live near Regency. I remember its heyday well, new businesses and restaurants moving in constantly. Fun place to go. I've watched the general area decline over the years, except for maybe the past two or three. Lately it seems that as the housing market struggles back, savvy investors are building and rehabbing again in this neighborhood.

I believe there's an upside that's maybe three to five years hence. It's just too well located to not be reutilized one day.

[simms3]

Good opinion piece.  Nicely done.

[VanDeusen]

I'm curious to see how well Lennar's new Kendall Town subdivision sells. I'd love to see the land used for something finally. I'm worried that 188 homes starting at $195k might be too much for that area to support right now.

[spuwho]

No more crime at Regency is because there aren't any stores there for any malcontents to hang out at.

BTW, the signs went up at Sleiman's Atlantic North this week "Belk - Opening March 2015"

Officially as of last week, Belk Corporate response to the lease at Regency was "No Comment". I guess they are committed now unless they turn it into a outlet center like Dilliards did.

[JECJAX]

Actually I rode through the Lennar development at Kendall Town and they are for the most part sold.  That is showing definite support for the Regency Square area to keep some shopping and maybe mixed development in the area.  The stores surrounding the mall are thriving.  The mall does need a definite facelift and most possibly a downsize to encourage new business. 

[Anti redneck]

Want to save Regency Mall? Sell it to a developer who will convert it into a nice 2-3 story mall, with an ice skating rink and a crosswalk that crosses from Atlantic Blvd, over Arlington Expressway, into the second story of the mall. Watch the area not only build back up, but give SJTC some competition.

[Redbaron616]

Most malls are struggling. Consumers are still keeping their wallets tight and visiting malls less. Many of us, if we go to a mall, typically park outside the one big store we want to go to and then leave.