New Restaurants, Stores For Mall Redevelopment
A representative for the Mall in Columbia developer said the planned outdoor addition to the mall has a 'tremendous amount of interest' from retailers.
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Representatives from General Growth Properties said the redevelopment of the Mall in Columbia will create a new outdoor experience, filled with outdoor seating for new restaurants, new stores and a pedestrian connection to the Lakefront and the new Warfield area developments.
However, they did not say who would be moving into the proposed addition of 43,500 square feet of retail space during a presentation Tuesday night at Howard Community College.
"At this point we have a tremendous amount of interest from retailers," said Jim Whitcome, senior development director for GGP. "But until we complete negotiations, I can't let you know who they are."
What restaurants do you think should come to the Mall in Columbia? Tell us in comments.
A digital rendering shown during the presentation showed three new buildings being built where the L.L. Bean store and an auxillary parking lot currently sits. In between the buildings would be two pathways. The main pathway would extend from the existing fountain plaza in front of L.L. Bean to a new entrance to the mall. A secondary pathway would extend from the Nordstrom deck parking lot and intersect perpendicularly with the main pathway.
"We envision restaurants with outdoor seating... leading you into the heart of the project," said Gordon Godat, the design architect working with GGP to design the buildings.
Godat said the buildings would vary in size to make it seem like they evolved over time, and warm colors would be used to relate with the surrounding landscape. Planned landscaping includes mature shade trees as well as native species situated in rainwater planters, according to Godat.
With new stores coming in and an auxillary parking lot to be removed, multiple residents questioned developers about whether there was adequate parking.
"We don't anticipate adding additional parking to the mall," said Whitcome.
Whitcome said the impetus for the plan came from L.L. Bean's request to downsize its store. He said the Downtown Columbia master plan had directed developers to make a connection to the Lakefront, but that the L.L. Bean store was blocking their ability to do so.
"All of a sudden the roadblock comes to us and says we don't want to be there," said Whitcome.
"The downsizing is part of our global operations," said L.L. Bean store manager Tom Metzger, who was at the meeting.
Metzger said L.L. Bean was currently in negotiations with the mall about finding a new spot for the outdoor clothing and equipment store, but that they were interested in staying in Columbia.
Whitcome said if the plan is approved, developers hope to start construction in January of 2013. If so, he said, they would likely be able to deliver spaces to tenants by August of 2013. He said some retail tenants take 30 days to move in, some 60, and that restaurants tend to take around 180 days before they open.
Besides parking questions, there appeared to be little problems with the plan GGP presented during the question and answer session with members of the public.
Ursula Kondo, who told the developers she had lived in Columbia for 32 years, said, "I really like your design, I think you've done a fantastic job."
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Andrew Metcalf
8:52 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I thought some other interesting details, that didn't make into the main story, was that Whitcome said GGP would love to plan for the parking nightmare that is "Black Friday", but said it's impossible.
Also, that GGP, particularly mall manager Katie Essing, would be interested to hear from the public about what stores or restaurants residents would like to see added into the new space. Whitcome said they will aggressively pursue businesses residents are interested in having, but that those businesses must be able to afford market rates for the spaces.
DawnP
10:27 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I think the Black Friday comment was disingenuous. Did anyone actually complain about parking on Black Friday? Parking is a nightmare on a normal, non-holiday Friday or Saturday, and I think they SHOULD be concerned about that as they plan for less parking and more retail and restaurant space.
Andrew Metcalf
10:40 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
To Dawn: No, no one actually complained about Black Friday, members of the public that spoke basically asked if there's going to be more shopping/ restaurant space, will there be more parking? A lawyer for GGP told me they're only going to remove about 63 spots from the auxillary parking lot behind LL Bean to make way for the new retail space.
DawnP
11:37 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Thanks, Andrew -- that was sort of my guess, which is why I said it sounded disingenuous (on the part of GGP). When someone asks "is there going to be more parking, now that you're adding new retail and restaurant space," and the response is "we'd love to plan for Black Friday, but we can't (and by the way, there's actually going to be LESS parking)" that seems pretty disingenuous to me.
Other aspects of the plan sound great, but parking is already such a nightmare, I tend to stay away from the Mall if I can help it -- so I don't imagine that this new use of the space will draw me back.
Julia McCready
9:15 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
What I find curious is that they seem to be going for a warm, folksy, interior-courtyard sort of feel with this, while Kimco is dismantling the traditional Wilde Lake Courtyard. What makes the significant difference between the two? Not trying to be critical, I'm just pondering.
Stephanie Newman
9:45 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I know it's nothing fancy or exciting, but the mall lacks a drug store like CVS. When I'm shoping at the mall it would be convenient to be able to scratch that extra stop off my list. I'd also love to see a Pottery Barn there!
Dee
11:13 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
They are adding stores and restaurants and taking OUT parking spots. I rarely shop at the mall because parking is so difficult, especially during the holidays. I've actually left because I could not find parking. This is only going to make matters worse IMO.
Gretchen
9:42 am on Monday, July 30, 2012
I have also driven to the mall, driven around to find parking, and then driven away rather than stayed to shop. This has happened several times a year, not during high shopping seasons (I do my holiday shopping online or early morning on weekdays to avoid the crowds). And I couldn't tell you how often my husband and I have driven over there to go to a movie, arrived a half hour early, and couldn't find parking until too late to bother going. We've learned to rely more upon our Comcast service for movies... oh, reliability of Comcast? That's a whole 'nother stupid topic. (sigh)
Lisa Williams
3:43 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I have left, too, and went to a restaurant that was not at the mall. Also the same goes for seeing movies at Snowden Square instead of the AMC there.
Carrie L
11:52 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I agree that the parking is a major issue, especially on this side of the Mall. They need to create more parking areas, not take space away. I also tend to avoid going on a regular weekend because of the difficulty finding any space, and forget Black Friday!
Chris Jackman
12:32 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I love having a parking spot wherever I go, but the fact it lots of parking reduces potential revenue sources and takes away from a walkable lifestyle center. You simply can't affordablly accommodate parking for the maximum use and make it a pedestrian center. The two simply don't mix and that, I believe is where the Black Friday comment came from.
Matt Wilson
12:37 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Eventually the surface parking will all be replaced by parking garages, with retail/residential/office space wrapped around them. I don't think the loss of 63 parking spaces in the near-term is all that significant.
Matt Wilson
12:43 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Also, it's precisely *lack of easy parking* that signals the health of a place that's designed to attract people. I mean, there's been plenty of easy parking at the Laurel mall for years now. There's plenty of easy parking at the Wilde Lake Village Center too.
Andrew Metcalf
1:57 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Whitcome made that point last night, he said no one is asking GGP to build out, they're all asking the company to build up. (In reference to parking garages over parking lots)
Da499
2:26 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Just a thought about the paring issue. Park at the garage by JC Penney's and Lord and Taylor during busy season regardless that garage never fills to capacity even when it is Christmas people either need to learn how to walk a further distance and stop car stocking people for a spot it shows you like holding others up especially in a garage. Just take the extra time to park in the garage mentioned above and walk to your destination.
HoCoCommenter
3:12 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Thank you!! Most people are just lazy. The time they take waiting around for a close spot, they could have found a further one and walked inside by then. Plus, some of those guilty of this behavior could really use the extra walk.
Karen Keane
8:16 am on Thursday, September 6, 2012
The demographic of Columbia is getting older, which means more people who need to try and park closer. It is insane trying to park at The Mall now on the weekends. I would love to see some of the empty buildings in Wilde Lake Village Center filled with stores and restaurants. I always liked to shop over there because it was easy to get in and out.
Karen Hurwitz
10:11 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Would love to see a California Pizza Restaurant in Columbia.
Lisa Williams
3:43 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I enjoy going to Columbia Mall as it is close to home and I like the variety of stores there. However, PARKING IS ALWAYS AN ISSUE every weekend night especially (and of course, for holidays) because of the current restaurants and the large movie theater. Just as others have mentioned, I have driven around for a very long time unable to find any parking and finally left -- choosing to eat somewhere else or go to Snowden Square for a movie. How can they add new restaurants and stores withOUT additional parking, especially on that side of the Mall?!? At least consider a large parking garage (3 levels minimum) towards the outer edge of the current lot. If parking is not added, I guarantee that business will be lost. I would be one of very many patron(s) that would no longer go to Columbia Mall for dinner or a movie. As for recommendations for stores/restaurants: seafood/steak restaurant would be populalr, definitely a drug store like CVS, and a book/music store (B&N or BAM or FYE).
Marilyn Ehm
2:21 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Please add a Smashburger to the Mall of Columbia! There isn't a single one in Maryland, the closest one is in Fairfax, Va. Love this chain whenever me and friends are out of state! Also, maybe not necessarily in the mall, but an Ikea in Columbia would be FABULOUS.
Mark E.
2:31 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Ditto to Marilyn's comment!!!!!
Grasshopper
8:23 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
A Crate and Barrel would be great alongside a Pottery Barn, West Elm, or Room and Board.
Jenny Carter
4:27 pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Agree with Grasshopper, in addition stores like zara, allsaints, anthropologie would be awesome. i'd love to see the selection of stores down in georgetown up here in columbia.
Alexis
4:56 pm on Sunday, May 12, 2013
Definetely they need to look to Annapolis mall for ideas on what stores to bring. A House of Hoops, Wet Seal, Charlotte Russe, TWO Story Forever 21, more accessory stores. They should ultimately look at Westfield malls, St.Towne Charles mall, and the FAMOUS Anne Arundel Mall for ideas
Alexis
4:58 pm on Sunday, May 12, 2013
Maybe Underground parking ?? Or just a taller parking structure because the one by Macys is DEFINITELY not getting the job done.