City officials are working with the owners of Danville Mall to find new uses for the commercial land.
“We believe the Danville Mall property will be a lifestyle destination that brings community, commercial and residential together in one place,” Cory T. Bove, Danville’s Director of Economic Development, told The Danville Register & Bee.
Bobe said uses for the site include hospitality, housing, outdoor recreation, food and beverage, public gathering areas and office space. Her 87,000-square-foot footprint at the mall and the approximately 17,000-square-foot Out-Parcel development area could be redeveloped, she said.
A spokesperson for Hull Property Group, which owns the Danville Mall, did not respond to numerous voice messages left by Register & Bee this week.
City officials have pointed to the central location of the mall as an ideal location for redevelopment.
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“Geographically located, it’s perfectly positioned as a lifestyle destination,” said City Councilman Lee Vogler. “This has been a huge commercial lot for years. It’s surrounded by commercial properties. Combining it with housing is a win-win.”
City Manager Ken Larking said of the mall’s property, “It’s a nice property, centrally located, with good access, and a great view.”
Malls across the country have been in decline for decades and must find new uses, said Deputy Mayor Gary Miller.
“Every year, malls across the country close,” Miller said. “We’re going to have to rethink what malls do.”
The Danville Mall parking lot fills up on Friday afternoons. City officials have pointed to the central location of the mall as an ideal location for redevelopment.
John R. Crane, Register & Bee
“Reimagine” was an ongoing theme among officials who spoke to the Register & Bee. Hull Property Group and the city’s economic development agency will work together to “reimagine the site and determine how to better serve residents,” Bobe said.
“Hull Properties is open to exploring partnership opportunities for further residential and commercial redevelopment of the site,” said Bobe.
The redevelopment of the site won’t include closing the mall, but will add to the existing one, she said.
Miller thinks it’s a great idea to explore redevelopment options for the mall.
“I don’t want the mall to go out of business,” Miller said.
Danville serves as a commercial hub for surrounding communities in southern Virginia and northern North Carolina, with approximately 625,000 residents. That and other factors make this mall property perfect for redevelopment, she said.
“The property is also close to major city assets, including the River District, two campuses of Averett University, and the under-construction $650 million Caesars Resort.” , located in a high traffic area with 17,000 to 24,000 vehicles passing through each day.”
Bobe did not say whether potential developers are considering Mall for possible projects.
“At this time, we are unable to comment on the prospect’s activities related to this project,” she said.
Danville economic development officials are in discussions with Danville Mall property owners about a potential redevelopment of the mixed-use mall that includes residential, hospitality, outdoor recreation, dining, public gathering areas and office space.
John R. Crane, Register & Bee
Bove said the incentives offered for work at the facility depend on the size of the project.
“The city will evaluate potential incentives based on the scope of the final development project,” Bove said.
A regional housing summit held at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research highlighted the need for more housing in the city and its surrounding areas, Miller said. You can get the opportunity to sell malls for development.
“We need to help malls and we’re happy to do that,” says Miller.
City officials are also considering other parts of the city for redevelopment, Bove said.
Danville’s Economic Development Authority recently assessed the condition of the city’s major corridors and designated priority areas for redevelopment efforts, Bobe said.
“We are currently focused on redeveloping the Schoolfield District and West Main Street Corridor, which stretches from the North Carolina border to the River District border.
A Philadelphia firm is working on a master plan for the corridor, which is expected to be completed in October, said Bobe. She said the city will begin to focus on that area based on the findings of the investigation.
“We will immediately begin planning to implement the recommendations from this study,” said Bobe.
The Economic Development Authority is also partnering with the River District Association to evaluate redevelopment along the North Main Hill, she said.
