Billed as as a town hall meeting exploring the re-development of the East End mall, it was more like an open house in the former Elder-Beerman with Christmas music and plenty of discussion as residents looked at the survey suggestions.
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
As soon as resident Aymsley Toomer drove into the lot, she had a suggestion pointing out the shabby entrance sign.
“It is falling down. It’s rusting. Either paint it or remove it,” she said. “It is a small thing, but I think it is a statement as to the state of the property. There are a lot of things they can do to make it more attractive ”
She saw many ideas listed for the site that she would like to see, including residential housing, restaurants, children’s activities and walking paths.
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
“It is a wonderful property, it just needs someone to care about it,”
The mall completed in the late 1970s was annexed into Middletown in the late 1990s after a battle with Warren County officials. As shopping habits changed, the mall fell on hard times like many others in recent years leaving a huge empty complex at one of the city’s gateways.
The city paid $10 million to purchase the four-parcel, 32-acre mall property in July to guide what goes on the land in the middle of surging development along Interstate 75. But when the city acquired the property, it had no specific plans.
So, city leaders asked for for help from citizens. They got plenty of feedback.
What amenities should be included in the mall site? Walking path, bars and taverns, skate park, dog park, bakery, athletic facility, art installations, arcade, medical offices, residential housing specialty shops and pickleball courts were tops in the survey.
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
Among the 40 services people said they leave Middletown for are upscale shopping, movie theater, healthy food, date night places, wine/bourbon bar, casino, birthday party venues, indoor shooting range, public art, sporting goods, open air malls. wellness spa and outdoor entertainment.
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
While some question why the city choose to purchase site, the survey results indicate people believe its redevelopment will remove blight, life of the city, attract new residents increase a sense of pride, raise morale, bring people together, attract new jobs and keep money in the city.
When asked to point to a location the Towne Mall site should take for inspiration, many pointed to favorite shopping areas in the region including Liberty Center, Bridgewater Falls, Austin Landing, Streets of West Chester, The Greene, Kenwood Mall, Kettering Town and Country, Newport on the Levee and Spooky Nook.
Councilwoman Jennifer Carter said she saw some “good ideas” but added a few of her own.
“I want a comedy club and we need a dry cleaner and senior housing, she said adding her sticky note to the board.
Council wanted to hear from citizens before moving forward with plans in 2025.
Beginning early next year, there will be a council strategic planning session followed by a formal request for proposals to developers likely in February, according to Councilman Paul Lolli.
Middletown made an offer to purchase Towne Mall last year with the intent of placing Renaissance Pointe at the location, but withdrew the offer. Renaissance Pointe is a nearly 51-acre mixed-use $200 million development at Ohio 122 and Union Road that will include an event center, retail and offices, hotels, restaurants, and residential living.
Ground breaking for that project was in the summer.
The Towne Mall now has one large tenant, Planet Fitness.
When the city’s Towne Mall purchase was announced, two council members, one of which has left office, said they envisioned the project as a teardown of the mall, possibly using state brownfield remediation grant money to have the land shovel-ready for a developer.
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
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