The RGJ reports that Park Lane Mall's new owner has decided that it is time to demolish the building. I would be disappointed and express reservations, but for the comments from several retail tenants in the Mall today regarding leaky roofs and other structural deficiencies. It may indeed be time for the center to be demo'ed.
This would be a fantastic time to evaluate something I have had kicking around in my head for years -- actually building a park and a lane there. With Virginia Lake Crossing across the street, it would make a lot of sense to hook the two sites up via a road (herafter: lane), which would wind through a park before entering a new mall which would be semi-outdoor and mixed use, with some 4-up apartment buildings and a new anchor tenant such as an urban version of a Target or Wal*Mart or other discount department store. Parking would be in a garage, and the movie theater would remain and be connected to the project through the project's new pedestrian walkways.
The anchor tenant and ambiance would draw people from around center city locations, as well as put users directly on the site to patronize the smaller tenants on a daily basis.
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