Crossroads Mall

[ljbab728]

Yeah, OKC could bulldoze it like Kansas City closed down Bannister Mall (due to a history of violence) and then bulldozed it. It's one ugly area when you drive by on I-435 now--they were suppose to build a new MLS stadium there for the KC Wiz, but I guess the deal fell through for whatever reason. Point is, maybe OKC is trying to take something from the KC experience and wait until something concrete comes to fruition.

Also, there is a bridal show there this Sunday, so it isn't going anywhere fast.

It seems strange to keep talking about how "OKC" should do something. The mall is private property and, for better or worse, the owners have to decide what to do with it unless the city takes it over by eminent domain for some nebulous purpose. I just doubt that the city is interested at this point in owning that land for some kind of redevelopment when they have much more urgents needs in other areas to develop.

[jn1780]

The city won't do anything unless it sits vacate for an extended period of time. I honestly don't know how long they can keep the lights on without any major changes. I wonder what stores are actually bringing in foot traffic? I don't see stores like Bath & Body Works, Frederick's of Hollywood, Rue 21, Victoria's Secret, or Zales Jewelers staying there that much longer and I'm sure the rents get cheaper and cheaper every time a new lease is signed.

[ljbab728]

The city won't do anything unless it sits vacate for an extended period of time. I honestly don't know how long they can keep the lights on without any major changes. I wonder what stores are actually bringing in foot traffic? I don't see stores like Bath & Body Works, Frederick's of Hollywood, Rue 21, Victoria's Secret, or Zales Jewelers staying there that much longer and I'm sure the rents get cheaper and cheaper every time a new lease is signed.

Even then the city won't do anything unless there is clearly a better plan for that area that makes economic sense.

[bchris02]

It seems strange to keep talking about how "OKC" should do something. The mall is private property and, for better or worse, the owners have to decide what to do with it unless the city takes it over by eminent domain for some nebulous purpose. I just doubt that the city is interested at this point in owning that land for some kind of redevelopment when they have much more urgents needs in other areas to develop.

Agreed. That part of town is pretty much past the point of no return and I doubt there will ever be a huge push to revitalize it. Business has moved south and west. The owners should sell the mall to a Hollywood studio and they can make a movie in it like they did with Dixie Square Mall.

Blues Brothers Dixie Square Mall - YouTube

[ljbab728]

Agreed. That part of town is pretty much past the point of no return and I doubt there will ever be a huge push to revitalize it. Business has moved south and west. The owners should sell the mall to a Hollywood studio and they can make a movie in it like they did with Dixie Square Mall.

Blues Brothers Dixie Square Mall - YouTube

Well that certainly was not the point I was trying to make. That area is hardly past the point of no return and it will eventually be revitalized. It just can't be a priority at this time given other financial obligations of the city. I think the private sector will salvage the location at some point. It is still a prime location.

[bchris02]

Well that certainly was not the point I was trying to make. That area is hardly past the point of no return and it will eventually be revitalized. It just can't be a priority at this time given other financial obligations of the city. I think the private sector will salvage the location at some point. It is still a prime location.

There would have to be some kind of economic incentive to revitalize it though. The I-35 corridor in South OKC is the worst of the worst in this city. Plus, all the momentum is from downtown up to 63rd. If anything big happens on the south side, it might be an upscale lifestyle center between Moore and Norman or somewhere in SW OKC (West Moore). I believe the Crossroads area is finished for the foreseeable future. I don't think developers would really want to take the risk on it.

[ljbab728]

There would have to be some kind of economic incentive to revitalize it though. The I-35 corridor in South OKC is the worst of the worst in this city. Plus, all the momentum is from downtown up to 63rd. If anything big happens on the south side, it might be an upscale lifestyle center between Moore and Norman or somewhere in SW OKC (West Moore). I believe the Crossroads area is finished for the foreseeable future. I don't think developers would really want to take the risk on it.

And I think you're wrong but it will be private developers that rescue the area. There was absolutely nothing more going for the I40 area between MacArthur and Council than this area has going for it. Private developers showed the way.

[kevinpate]

it continues to be humorous to see tales of the impending end of CRM some 4.2 plus years after the question was initially posed. How it continues sans anchors is a mystery, but continue it does.

[OKCisOK4me]

It seems strange to keep talking about how "OKC" should do something. The mall is private property and, for better or worse, the owners have to decide what to do with it unless the city takes it over by eminent domain for some nebulous purpose. I just doubt that the city is interested at this point in owning that land for some kind of redevelopment when they have much more urgents needs in other areas to develop.

Sorry, I'm not obviously in the know. But if it were the case, which its apparently not, that would be a good reasoning. I don't know if the City of Kansas City bought that land up there in Missouri or it was the developers decision after the mall had been shut down since that was a few years after I left the area.

[bluedogok]

I just hope it doesn't end up like zombie mall like the Dixie Square Mall in Harvey, Illinois which is probably most famous for the car chase in the mall scene in The Blues Brothers which was filmed in 1979 (released in 1980). The last thing that I saw most of the mall was still sitting there some 30 years later.

DeadMalls.com - Dixie Square Mall
Ghost Mall

There are a bunch of other sites and pics of Dixie Square Mall out there as well.

[Cocaine]

That really sucks for Kansas, it would have been cool to see, I looked up and they are using as a office and retail site, I guess that is better than nothing

I think you mean it sucks for Missouri.

[Swake2]

I think you mean it sucks for Missouri.

The stadium actually ended being built in Kansas City, KS

Livestrong Sporting Park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Cocaine]

The stadium actually ended being built in Kansas City, KS

Livestrong Sporting Park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Damn i didn't know that. I assumed it was somewhere on the Missouri side. Then that really does suck they tore down Bannister Mall for no reason. It used to be a very good mall and was always pretty busy. Well hopefully Cross Roads doesn't end up like that.

[bchris02]

Damn i didn't know that. I assumed it was somewhere on the Missouri side. Then that really does suck they tore down Bannister Mall for no reason. It used to be a very good mall and was always pretty busy. Well hopefully Cross Roads doesn't end up like that.

I would really rather Crossroads be torn down and redeveloped that sit empty for decades like a lot of these dinosaurs do.

It really is sad to see Crossroads in the shape its in but I honestly believe its past the point of no return. Back in the middle of the last decade it could have possibly been saved, but post recession with no anchors and being smack dab in the middle of one of the sketchiest areas in OKC, its going to be a tough sell to find anybody that would be willing to take the risk on it.

To those familiar with the real estate market, do you see a way Crossroads can be saved? If not, is there even a possibility it could be re-developed in the current economic environment given its location?

[jn1780]

I just hope it doesn't end up like zombie mall like the Dixie Square Mall in Harvey, Illinois which is probably most famous for the car chase in the mall scene in The Blues Brothers which was filmed in 1979 (released in 1980). The last thing that I saw most of the mall was still sitting there some 30 years later.

DeadMalls.com - Dixie Square Mall
Ghost Mall

There are a bunch of other sites and pics of Dixie Square Mall out there as well.

Finally demolished this year.

[MonkeesFan]

Finally demolished this year.

Yeah, I just read about that, it is about damn time! It is nuts for a dead mall to sit there for 30 years

[OKCDrummer77]

Yeah, I just read about that, it is about damn time! It is nuts for a dead mall to sit there for 30 years

Especially since it was only open for 12 years (1966-1978, IIRC).

[Romulack]

I'd like to see them take the partially-built Native American museum down by the river and move it all inside Crossroads Mall, dirt and all. Just cram it in the old Dillard's store. And then I'd like to see the Stage Center building crammed in the old JCPenney store. Out of sight, out of mind. And they'd be closer to the dump that's just east of there.

[catch22]

Very interesting post.

[MonkeesFan]

Especially since it was only open for 12 years (1966-1978, IIRC).

Yeah, they should demolish Crossroads now and rebuild it and make it a useable space

[Reno and Walker]

THE WHOLE MALL TREND IS ON LIFE SUPPORT..How many new malls are being built in the U.S.

[bchris02]

THE WHOLE MALL TREND IS ON LIFE SUPPORT..How many new malls are being built in the U.S.

Well due to the national economy not many retail outlets are being built period. As for malls though, the future is either upscale or outlet. The middle class has moved on to big box chains and power centers.

[Chop]

Crossroads mall needs to go. Bring on the wrecking ball.

[SSEiYah]

I think it would be a good Flea Market, its in the right part of town too.

[catch22]

Turn the inside into a giant skateboarding/BMX course.

Turn the outside into a race course.