5 Reasons Why Regency Square Mall's Days Are Numbered

[IrvAdams]

I hope Regency can be repurposed, even if it's not retail. It worked for the Grand Boulevard and Philips Mall locations.

[coredumped]

Crime (mainly thievery) a subject that people always wanna duck and dodge, that's the main reason. Crime, and perception of crime is the top reason that most malls fail.

There's actually MORE crime at SJTC than at Regency (yes yes, I know, insert joke "that's because there's no one at Regency" but it's true).


On a related note, mashable has a great slideshow today of what American malls looked like in 1989 (warning, big hair ahead!):
http://mashable.com/2014/12/02/80s-shopping-malls/

For example, remember when smoking was allowed in malls:

[thelakelander]

I've saw far worse than Regency around the country. Regency definitely have seen better days, but I wouldn't call Reg dead just yet with a core in the East Mall, and three anchors still open.

You remember what happened when JCPenney left Gateway? Regency's east mall will deal with the exact same issue when Belk moves out in a few months. That leaves two anchors going the way of the dodo bird, Sears and JCPenney, to serve as the traffic generators for 1 million square feet of retail space in between. Oh, then there's Dilliards, which has been downgraded into an outlet store that doesn't have normal mall hours. Not exactly the recipe for success. Hopefully, some sort of decent retrofit can be done with the property when it's regional retailing days come to an end.

[copperfiend]

On a related note, mashable has a great slideshow today of what American malls looked like in 1989 (warning, big hair ahead!):
http://mashable.com/2014/12/02/80s-shopping-malls/

That is fantastic...and somewhat depressing. Because I remember going malls in the 80's. One of my favorite parts was walking by the McDuff Electronic store where they always had a video camera hooked up to one of the TV's. And making some sort of silly face.

[thelakelander]

McDuff Electronic....now that's a name I haven't heard in a while!

[I-10east]

There's actually MORE crime at SJTC than at Regency (yes yes, I know, insert joke "that's because there's no one at Regency" but it's true).

Regency heyday w/crime compared to the current SJTC level of crime, I don't think that it's even close. I can imagine that the thieving decreased in Regency mainly because so many stores closed.

[peestandingup]

I don't care about the mall, but I do like the Dillard's clearance center. Better than Nordstrom Rack IMO.

[fsquid]

McDuff Electronic....now that's a name I haven't heard in a while!

San Dimas High School Football Rules.

[KenFSU]

On a related note, mashable has a great slideshow today of what American malls looked like in 1989 (warning, big hair ahead!):
http://mashable.com/2014/12/02/80s-shopping-malls/

*Almost* wore this same outfit to work today:

[fsujax]

Wow. Some great pics. Bringing back some 1989 memories...haha

[bill]

true, but specifically the businesses downtown were crippled with special ad valorem taxes.

The spiral continued, and the taxes downtown continued to be raised as the revenues declined.

Wow revenues declined as taxes increased? That never happens, except when it fits the narrative.

[vicupstate]

Stephen can you provide some background on these additional taxes on DT.  I was aware of the taxes that support DVI, but not any others such as the inventory tax you refer to.

[thelakelander]

Be honest, who had hair like this?



There was a time we tucked those extra tight smedium t-shirts in...


Read and see more: Flashback to the Timeless Malls of the 1980s - LightBox http://lightbox.time.com/2013/11/26/flashback-to-the-timeless-malls-of-the-1980s/#ixzz3KprgLRWe

[I-10east]

Be honest, who had hair like this?



There was a time we tucked those extra tight smedium t-shirts in...


Read and see more: Flashback to the Timeless Malls of the 1980s - LightBox http://lightbox.time.com/2013/11/26/flashback-to-the-timeless-malls-of-the-1980s/#ixzz3KprgLRWe

Radical dude!!!

[thelakelander]

Not to mention the drop in surrounding residential density. Here's the density of a few neighborhoods surrounding downtown in 1960 and what they are now:

1960

LaVilla - 12,000 people/sq mile
Hansontown - 26,000 people/sq mile
Sugar Hill - 18,000 people/sq mile
Durkeeville - 11,000 people/sq mile
Brentwood - 9,000 people/sq mile
Springfield (N of 8th) - 12,000 people/sq mile
Springfield (S of 8th) - 15,000 people/sq mile
DT Northbank - 3,000 people/ sq mile


2012

DT Northbank/LaVilla/Hansontown - 1,000 people/sq mile
Sugar Hill - 4,000 people/sq mile
Durkeeville - 6,000 people/sq mile
Brentwood - 5,000 people/sq mile
Springfield (N of 8th) - 4,000 people/sq mile
Springfield (S of 8th) - 4,000 people/sq mile

The old city limits of Jax has lost 50% of it's overall population since 1960. However, the loss has not been equally spread out over the old 30 square mile boundary.  Most of it has been in the wholesale elimination of neighborhoods that were within walking distance of the Northbank. Add in the relocation of waterfront industry and the elimination of passenger rail and it's no wonder that the commercial district they supported ended up going down the tubes.