Crossroads Mall

[SkyWestOKC]

Uhm....I doubt that....each year it gets worse. Even if this does come to fruition, this is merely one small pulse....not enough to consider it alive again.

[EBAH]

It is an iconic and historical mall. There is lots of love for Crossroads. In a few years, it will compete PSM.

Nostalgia for Crossroads, sure. Love, maybe. But it just doesn't make up for a bad location. The idea that it will ever compete on equal ground with PSM again, just looks impossible to me. Crossroads is surrounded on most sides, not all, by industrial filth, a sex district, and very impoverished and/or run down residential. HUGE difference from a mall with comparable highway access, surrounded by affluent, middle class or above neighborhoods, with complimentary shopping, restaurants, etc. Especially with all of the increased competition from Moore, Midwest City, and Norman, that have all stepped up to try and fill the void crossroads left in it's years of catastrophic failure. It could, probably will, live again, don't get me wrong. But I just dont think it will ever be up to the level of PSM. It's Oklahoma's North Park Center, just think how many people have tried to compete with North Park over the years. They've just been too good, too long, and crossroads has been all but standing still in the race for the last several years. If anything, I could see it being, the "working man's alternative" to PSM.

[SoonerDave]

Nostalgia for Crossroads, sure. Love, maybe. But it just doesn't make up for a bad location.

If this Dillards notion proves true, someone must think the location is salvageable.

The idea that it will ever compete on equal ground with PSM again, just looks impossible to me. Crossroads is surrounded on most sides, not all, by industrial filth, a sex district, and very impoverished and/or run down residential. HUGE difference from a mall with comparable highway access, surrounded by affluent, middle class or above neighborhoods, with complimentary shopping, restaurants, etc.

I know this goes against the grain of the conventional wisdom about a) all things south OKC, and b) all things Crossroads, but it might surprise you to know that Crossroads is but four miles away from one of if not the highest-income-density zip code in OKC (73170). As for highway access, it happens to sit on the wrong side of one of the busiest interstate interchanges in Oklahoma City. Yeah, I agree, the immediate Crossroads area is a decided longshot for revival, but creating this notion that there are practically hookers operating out of the center court is silly.

....... If anything, I could see it being, the "working man's alternative" to PSM.

Sounds so simultaneously encouraging yet snobbish and condescending, I'm not quite sure how to respond. Someone on the business side of the house somewhere must think there's something to be leveraged at Crossroads if the rumors in this thread pan out. I'm not deluded into thinking glory days are returning to Crossroads, but I'm foolish enough to be optimistic about a rumor that seems to be gaining some traction that makes Crossroads' near-term future at least fractionally less bleak.

I say all this as a nearly lifetime resident of SW OKC, and remembering how I went to Crossroads as a kid of about 10 the day it opened, and how in the OKC area it was truly larger than life. Contrasting what it was like in its glory days against what it has become, and the obstacles it has to overcome to be viable again, gives me a bit of permission to be perhaps a bit too excited about the notion of it regaining a significant anchor tenant that may add to the city's sales tax rolls and employment. That's better than an empty, decaying corpse.

[andimthomas]

It's Oklahoma's North Park Center, just think how many people have tried to compete with North Park over the years.

At least you could feel somewhat safe at Northpark Mall.

[kevinpate]

As you could most of the time over the history of Crossroads, including recent times. PSM on the other hand ... well, run your crime reports over the last decade plus and decide for yourself. CR has its issues, no denying, but safety ain't it, of course, that could be largely because crooks go where the wallets go, and more wallets go to PSM these days.

[ljbab728]

Crossroads is surrounded on most sides, not all, by industrial filth, a sex district, and very impoverished and/or run down residential.

I have shopped at Crossroads since it opened and never felt that any of these things had any bearing at all on whether I liked to shop there. They were never noticeable or even on the radar screen. Penn Square is very close to one of the largest adult entertainment districts in OKC near 39th and Penn. Does that have any effect on them?

[Thunder]

It doesn't really matter what Crossroads Mall is close to. Landfill. Sex club. It just simply does not matter. The mall went on for years despite those surrounding neighbors. The cause of the demise was the failure to maintain/update/upgrade everything on the inside and outside and failure to listen to the tenants. Secondary factor was the people failing to shop there regularly to ride out the hard times. Now we see that Dillards is coming back, along with 5 new stores, they all will have to work extra hard to get these customers to start coming back. The mall is NOT dead! We are given the 2nd chance, so I suggest you all get off your butts and start shopping!

[OKCisOK4me]

b) all things Crossroads, but it might surprise you to know that Crossroads is but four miles away from one of if not the highest-income-density zip code in OKC (73170).

Does it really matter? That's like saying if Nichols Hills had it's own zip code then PSM would be within a mile of the highest-income-density zip code in the city, let alone, the whole county! Unfortunately that zip code on the south side covers a newer residential area that's probably been built up in just the last decade where as the zip code that Nichols Hills is a part of is also cheaper and/or low income housing projects combined.

I laugh at the notion that Crossroads will be on the same competitive level as PSM. It might of been at one time, but it WILL NEVER BE AGAIN. Sorry Thunder, ain't (I don't say this word very often unless I mean it) happening. Again, look at the surrounding area. I'm not talking about landfills or sex districts. Crossroads is developed on one side (that side fronting I-35). Yes, there is way more traffic than what probably goes by PSM on I-44, but there is more density around PSM. Only one side of it has nothing and that is because a neighborhood backs up to it.

I still think the site would be great for a sporting venue or a theme park. That mall has some cool architecture and it looks cool, but the empty lots make it a sore eye.

[Spartan]

It is an iconic and historical mall. There is lots of love for Crossroads. In a few years, it will compete PSM.

Are you delusional or something? Crossroads was the biggest mistake ever made in OKC. And it delivered the death knell for Capitol Hill, which was once the retail backbone of South OKC. I'd take a shot at revitalizing Capitol Hill before bringing back Crossroads any day. I say let Crossroads die, then erect a gigantic border fence around it and officially deannex it from the United States. Include Valley Brook in that, too.

This is the thing to knock into some of these pro-Crossroads people's little brains: Penn Square doesn't need a "working man's alternative" because if you put Penn Square in most other cities, it wouldn't be close to being the nicest retail center. Penn Square is really not that amazing, believe it or not. And on any week night you'll see the exact some mall rat filth lingering around Penn Square that you would at any other mall.

[mugofbeer]

If there is an Arkansas mall management company involved, they may have a close relationship with Dillards who is also out of Arkansas. It would be surprising but who knows?

[ljbab728]

Are you delusional or something? Crossroads was the biggest mistake ever made in OKC. And it delivered the death knell for Capitol Hill, which was once the retail backbone of South OKC. I'd take a shot at revitalizing Capitol Hill before bringing back Crossroads any day.

Spartan, of course Crossroads had a devastating effect on shopping in Capitol Hill. Surely you're not suggesting though that Capitol Hill would still be a major OKC shopping hub if crossroads hadn't been built. It would have gone downhill but maybe not as quickly. It can still be a nice local shopping area with speciality types of businesses but will never be what it was when I used to shop at Brown's or Penneys there when I was younger. And I dare say that Crossroads wasn't the biggest mistake ever made in OKC. Remember Urban Renewal?

[u50254082]

This is horrible news! I had big hopes that Crossroads would empty out and would turn into the world's largest hide-and-go-seek building.

[Spartan]

Spartan, of course Crossroads had a devastating effect on shopping in Capitol Hill. Surely you're not suggesting though that Capitol Hill would still be a major OKC shopping hub if crossroads hadn't been built. It would have gone downhill but maybe not as quickly. It can still be a nice local shopping area with speciality types of businesses but will never be what it was when I used to shop at Brown's or Penneys there when I was younger. And I dare say that Crossroads wasn't the biggest mistake ever made in OKC. Remember Urban Renewal?

There is a laundry list of things competing for title of worst mistake in OKC history. Crossroads is up there, way above the level of damage of any SandRidge proposal. And you're right, if it weren't for Crossroads, it would have been an empty mall to kill of Capitol Hill--and I'd be hating on that fictional mall as well.

I don't see any reason why Capitol Hill can't become a major retail hub again because of the sheer residential density and quickly growing populations that surround it. It won't be home to a Whole Foods or a Nordstrom anytime soon, but if the city wanted to, they could really turn it into a competitive retail destination that would compete with Moore for southside sales tax dollars. All it would take to get the ball rolling is a well-planned movie theater similar to the Promenade on 4th Street in Sioux City, IA or the Warren Theatre in Wichita's Old Town. You could just take everything that's still at Crossroads and completely move it up to Capitol Hill--no reason why that couldn't happen.

[Thunder]

Global warming is another reason to revive Crossroads Mall. Who would want to suffer in the extreme heat? It's better to have long walks inside where there is cool AC units making us super comfortable. And the Winter season, especially Christmas? Save on gas = more presents to give! Many reasons to revive the mall and its about time.

[Uncle Slayton]

If I'm close to either place, Capitol Hill or Crossroads/Valley Brook at or near sunset, I get the same feeling one must get upon finding that they've inadvertently driven into the fictitious town of Salem's Lot way after dark.

Windows up, doors locked, eyes front, drive fast.

[kevinpate]

If I'm close to either place, Capitol Hill or Crossroads/Valley Brook at or near sunset, I get the same feeling one must get upon finding that they've inadvertently driven into the fictitious town of Salem's Lot way after dark.

Windows up, doors locked, eyes front, drive fast.

There's probably a medication that could assist in quelling your anxiety.

[poe]

Turn Crossroads into a huge film studio. If Dillards is there, they can provide wardrobes.

[Uncle Slayton]

There's probably a medication that could assist in quelling your anxiety.

I-240. Take as needed.

[kevinpate]

I-240. Take as needed.

Have to chuckle. 240, even in the daytime, generates waay more anxiety for me. Far too many distracted drivers for my tastes.

[Rover]

Does everybody think that Crossroads got into this situation by accident?

CR has not stayed competitive and owners couldn't justify investments even when the economy was rip-roaring. There is nothing in its recent history to suggest the public will support it to the extent needed. Indoor malls are very expensive to maintain and operate and rental rates have to reflect it. When the large shopping areas of Moore and Norman can offer cheaper rent and pass it on with cheaper products due to the lower overhead, then CR has no chance. People don't want to walk from dimly lit parking areas with little or no security to a dingy environment and then spend more money than they would if they drove down the road just a bit farther. Face it, CR is a dinosaur and certainly needs to look at other uses.

I am sure that Dillards might be able to look at re-opening if they don't have to pay for common area and since people can park right outside the store and walk directly in. Otherwise, I doubt they could justify anything there. Face it, CR has been uncompetitive and been in a death spiral for quite awhile.

[Uncle Slayton]

Have to chuckle. 240, even in the daytime, generates waay more anxiety for me. Far too many distracted drivers for my tastes.

Actually, it does for me as well. I never use it, but my daughters take it when they go home from visiting me in Norman. They just got their licenses, so I require a phone call from the non-driving sibling at each exit. The dad on the Subaru commercial is a slacker compared to the drills I put my kids through before they drive somewhere.

[oneforone]

It should probably be noted if someone has not already done so that Dillards does run a handful of clearance centers. They could be looking at opening a clearance center since the economy is going to force them to either keep the building or give it away for a bargain basement price.

[remy11]

Penn Square is very close to one of the largest adult entertainment districts in OKC near 39th and Penn. Does that have any effect on them?

umm we're talking about a little bit of a different situation. One, while there may be a strip of clubs/bars, it's not strip clubs. Adult entertainment, sure but it's not on the same level as Valley Brook. Two, there is the lack of crime and violence that Valley Brook has. Of course there are the occasional crimes in the Penn Square area but nowhere near that of Valley Brook area so I feel like that was an unfair comparison.

[progressiveboy]

Are you delusional or something? Crossroads was the biggest mistake ever made in OKC. And it delivered the death knell for Capitol Hill, which was once the retail backbone of South OKC. I'd take a shot at revitalizing Capitol Hill before bringing back Crossroads any day. I say let Crossroads die, then erect a gigantic border fence around it and officially deannex it from the United States. Include Valley Brook in that, too.

This is the thing to knock into some of these pro-Crossroads people's little brains: Penn Square doesn't need a "working man's alternative" because if you put Penn Square in most other cities, it wouldn't be close to being the nicest retail center. Penn Square is really not that amazing, believe it or not. And on any week night you'll see the exact some mall rat filth lingering around Penn Square that you would at any other mall.

Probably because "some of" the low lifes from "South of the River" go to PSM to scope it out and try to rob the wealthy NH folks. Believe me, when I lived in OKC and went to Crossroads Mall, I saw so many skanky, greasy, toothless folks. Yes, PSM has a few skanks but I would guess they come from the other side of the city. (LOL).

[Jesseda]

I kinda like the hide and seek idea