Crossroads Mall

[warreng88]

I was talking to a friend of mine about this property specifically and what the best use was and the we agreed that a hospital needs to buy the land, tear it down and building a hospital here. The problem is that there is a Mercy primary care a few miles to the east and Integris a few miles to the NW. Or can someone get a Buc-ee's brought in here?

[Pete]

Reminder that Crossroads is in the hands of two private entities: Santa Fe Charter Schools (the two old department stores on the north and east sides plus all the related parking) and this Chinese owner based in Utah who owns the rest.

The property has been for sale several times and these were the buyers we got.

It's very hard to imagine anyone buying these owners out... And for what? Nobody has any idea what to do with the property. The best use would probably be an industrial/distribution complex similar to what the city is undertaking on the other side of I-240. But even that is now going to have to compete with all the public subsidies being spent on that city property.

[baralheia]

Reminder that Crossroads is in the hands of two private entities: Santa Fe Charter Schools (the two old department stores on the north and east sides plus all the related parking) and this Chinese owner based in Utah who owns the rest.

The property has been for sale several times and these were the buyers we got.

It's very hard to imagine anyone buying these owners out... And for what? Nobody has any idea what to do with the property. The best use would probably be an industrial/distribution complex similar to what the city is undertaking on the other side of I-240. But even that is now going to have to compete with all the public subsidies being spent on that city property.

I'm still holding out hope for a mixed-use transit oriented development here... Given it's proximity to the BNSF line from Edmond to Norman that the RTA wants to run commuter rail over, this would make a perfect area for a stop on the southside. Of course it remains to be seen whether the RTA's efforts with commuter rail will be successful (but if I'm being honest I hope they are). But that also means that any such development is still years away.

[Jeepnokc]

Or can someone get a Buc-ee's brought in here?

This actually is one of the best suggestions for this property that I have heard.

[5alive]

^^^Yes!

[Laramie]

Good ideas and suggestions:

Hospital clinics or extensions, make alterations for extensions for community college classrooms, University extension classrooms, charter/private schools and a mega cafeteria food court open to the public.

You could bring this mall back to life.

[Pete]

Things are looking really grim, even with low expectations.

Very little movement on the Friendship Gate over the last several months; not sure if it is completely stalled. Will be quite small regardless.

No activity at the old Penneys which makes me wonder if the Asian warehouse market and foot court are still going to happen.

There is a sign for the 'convention center' in the old Dillards but no signs of activity.

[SEMIweather]

Went with a group of friends to see Scream VI on opening night last month at the AMC just to the south of the mall, and it was probably the most depressing theatre experience that I can remember.

[Jeepnokc]

Went with a group of friends to see Scream VI on opening night last month at the AMC just to the south of the mall, and it was probably the most depressing theatre experience that I can remember.

We go there occasionally. It is what it is. We like that it is never busy and that the movies are cheaper than the nicer theaters but are still first run.

[BDP]

Interesting concept for an old mall:

Old Milwaukee mall is transformed into stunning apartment complex

(apologies for the click baity / tiktoky nature of the article, and if it's been discussed before)

[Pete]

Interesting concept for an old mall:

Old Milwaukee mall is transformed into stunning apartment complex

(apologies for the click baity / tiktoky nature of the article, and if it's been discussed before)

That mall is in the middle of their downtown; I've been in it. Milwaukee is one of the few mid-sized cities that maintained a large amount of housing in their core throughout the urban renewal wave of the 60s and 70s. Marquette is within walking distance.

I'm having a very hard time imagining anyone willing to pay the rent that would come from any renovation or new construction where Crossroads is located. And I'm having a hard time imagining anyone making any large investment in this site which is why it keeps getting bounced between a bunch of less-than-half-assed redevelopers.

[Will Dearborn]

Bulldoze it, build an OnCue and a rest stop.

[Boop]

What is so special about Buc-ee's?

[Boop]

Bulldoze it, build an OnCue and a rest stop.

Eh...we have plenty of gas stations so we do not need another one and besides, 7-11 is a block away from the mall

[BDP]

That mall is in the middle of their downtown; I've been in it. Milwaukee is one of the few mid-sized cities that maintained a large amount of housing in their core throughout the urban renewal wave of the 60s and 70s. Marquette is within walking distance.

I'm having a very hard time imagining anyone willing to pay the rent that would come from any renovation or new construction where Crossroads is located. And I'm having a hard time imagining anyone making any large investment in this site which is why it keeps getting bounced between a bunch of less-than-half-assed redevelopers.

Agree. I don't see anything like that happening at Crossroads, either. It does seem like something grand and unique is needed to make it relevant again, but I don't see that kind of money being dropped on it anytime soon, If only there was some sort of instrument the city could use to help with rejuvenating blighted areas / properties...

[citywokchinesefood]

What is so special about Buc-ee's?

Nothing.

[SoonerDave]

What is so special about Buc-ee's?

If you'd been to one, you'd know. They're awesome.

[warreng88]

If you'd been to one, you'd know. They're awesome.

If Kirklands, Walmart and Oncue had a threesome...

[Oski]

Build the MAPS4 stadium there, not everything has to be in downtown, a project like that will help bring more energy to this area.

[SEMIweather]

There is no way the MAPS 4 Stadium will succeed if built here. It’s going to have to be lifted up by its surroundings rather than the other way around. The Energy could barely get 2,500/game by the end of their run at Taft (granted, some of that was due to horrible ownership), and Taft’s surroundings were an entertainment oasis relative to this part of OKC. Now consider that under the very best-case scenario for the opening of the MAPS 4 Stadium, we will have a USL team that is starting from scratch with a new ownership group. Worst case, we’ll still have Prodigal who have alienated the Energy fanbase to the point that there will probably be active boycotts of any games so long as they still own the team. It’s just not a situation where you can build a stadium in hopes of revitalizing a blighted area.

[Rover]

Nothing.

Um, their bbq sandwich is special. 😊

[Jeepnokc]

What is so special about Buc-ee's?

There beef jerky game is spot on. The sandwiches and the sliced meat and cheese trays in deli are great. The fudge selection is amazing. Coffee and ice tea selections are weak though compared to QT,

[Will Dearborn]

Eh...we have plenty of gas stations so we do not need another one and besides, 7-11 is a block away from the mall

Unfortunately, there can never be enough gas stations. But yeah I get your point.

Also, I wouldn't put 7-11 gasoline in my lawnmower let alone one of my vehicles. On Cue has the highest quality fuel in the metro (besides RS Fuels on Memorial).

[citywokchinesefood]

Um, their bbq sandwich is special. 😊

I appreciate the fact they are clean stores that offer a lot at one stop. I know quite a few people who have an affinity for one thing or another that they offer. Nothing they have on hand has ever just blown me away, but I have never felt like I got less than what I paid for. I will concede that is special to a degree, I just don't buy into the cult following of certain service stations personally.

[Just the facts]

The interstate junction is a huge liability for this spot and will get worse over the next few years. If anything is to ever be successful here it will have to down-play its proximity to the interstates. Just look around OKC (or the entire US for that matter) and find a thriving interstate junction that derives its vibrancy from the interstate.