What should happen to Jamestown Mall? County seeks residents' opinions about shopping center's future
Suburban Journals
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
By Scott Bandle
Wilmur Wooten knows exactly what she would like to see at Jamestown Mall.
"I'd like to see an open air concept and an office," said Wooten, who manages the Hannoush Outlet Store at the mall. "If there was an office, employees might shop. It also would be nice to have more places to eat."
Florissant resident Chris Jones, 42, wants a play area for the children.
"I've been coming here for a while," he said. "That would be nice for the family."
Jenva Hall, 36, of Florissant, also would like to see an outdoors area.
"A lot of people like to be outdoors when they shop," she said. "That would be nice."
St. Louis County wants those kind of comments. The county is asking stakeholders in the mall to give their ideas for a study by the Urban Land Institute. Participants will discuss their ideas with an ULI panel.
A stakeholder is a North County resident who shops at the mall or lives around the area, said Nancy Schnoebelen, vice-president for marketing and communication of the St. Louis County Executive Council.
"These are the people we want to talk to," she said. "They are the ones most affected by the mall."
St. Louis County is paying Urban Land Institute $120,000 for their services. The Urban Land Institute is a non-profit organization that studies market conditions for shopping areas, Schnoebelen said.
"They are experts at taking data and finding out the most responsible use for the land," she said. "They have the expertise that we don't. We will take the study and work with the owners of the mall to figure out what the public wants."
Investor Mike Kohan purchased most of the mall in June for $3.3 million. The purchase did not include the J.C. Penney Outlet and Macy's stores and the closed Sears and Dillards stores.
"We believe there's an opportunity there," St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley said. "It's right for St. Louis County to get into this process. We want the public to know we're serious about Jamestown Mall."
The mall, Old Jamestown Road and Lindbergh Boulevard, is in unincorporated St. Louis County.
"This is what government should do," Dooley said. "We believe its necessary for the public to be part of the process. Whether it's retail, offices, or hotels, it's important that Jamestown Mall is used the best way possible."
Urban Land Institute's study of Jamestown Mall
Sept. 22 (Time to be announced)
One hour interview with ULI panel
Hilton St. Louis Airport
10330 Natural Bridge Road
Sept. 25, 9 to 11 a.m.
Public forum presenting ULI's findings
Shalon Church City of Peace
5491 North Highway 67
To participate, call Nancy Schnoebelen at 615-7617 before Sept. 22
