10 Comments so far ↓

• Apollo // Jun 2, 2009 at 2:20 pm

  I grew up close to there so I really hate to hear that it’s finally closed. Not surprised, though. I used to go there all the time. It’d be interesting to see it turned into some sort of community/arts center. The area could really use one. I realize it’s a pretty large space, but I think I’d prefer that to another mall.

• Patrick // Jun 2, 2009 at 2:40 pm

  Maybe they should follow the plan produced by KPS Group several years ago. It proposed converting the mall and outparcels to new, mix-ed use development and creating new public space around the intersection of Crestwood Blvd and Oporto Madrid.

  See http://alabamatribe.tribe.net/thread/311dd0b4-225f-46ed-b181-934850d8ac06

• jason // Jun 2, 2009 at 2:48 pm

  indoor skate/amusement park. indoor city with condos would also be interesting.

• Todd // Jun 3, 2009 at 4:13 pm

  I would tear most of it down (along with the old Toys R Us & Circuit City buildings) and build a condo/garden home subdivision. I’d make it geared towards the young singles and gay couples that buy Crestwood homes. I thought KPS Group’s plan was brilliant, and should have been implemented when it was first proposed. I can’t blame this one on Birmingham developers or property owners, as General Growth Properties are headquartered in Chicago. However, I DO think something forward-thinking should have been started back in 2002.

  Mixed-use is the way to go. Perhaps some of the structure could be saved, and incorporated into these other proposals. Absolutely no retail, though!!!! Eastwood Plaza and Eastwood Festival are begging for tenants. If Century Plaza were rehabbed into middle-class housing advertised as convenient access to downtown jobs, UAB jobs, Lakeview & 5 Pts. South nightlife, and quick access to I-20, then the struggling shopping centers directly across Crestwood Blvd could thrive again- AS LONG AS THE RETAIL CATERED TO THE THE NEW HOUSING AND NOT LOW-INCOME, as it does now. That’s what Roebuck & East Lake are for.

• John-Bryan Hopkins // Jun 3, 2009 at 4:18 pm

  I think that since it is in pretty good shape and has plenty of parking, it would have great potential as a college campus. There is plenty of available housing and it is already for mass traffic use, etc

• Todd // Jun 8, 2009 at 12:52 pm

  HMMM- that’s not a bad idea! Not bad at all.

  Would this be a start-up campus, or a transferred campus? For instance, a home-grown campus (Birmingham Technology Institute, The Urban Institute of Auburn), or convincing one of the rural 2-year colleges (or Huntington in Montgomery) to move up here?

  We’re talking about Birmingham’s brain-drain in other forums- this idea could greatly address the problem. John, I like the way you think!!!

• Alarob // Jun 15, 2009 at 6:18 pm

  The enclosed shopping mall seems to have outlived its time, so I think we’ll have to tear the place down and rebuild. I vote for some form of affordable housing; there is not nearly enough in this city. Maybe the site is far enough from Crestwood and Eastwood that it would be allowed to develop as apartments. We don’t need more single-family homes, especially in this economy.

• Carolyn // Jul 7, 2009 at 5:58 pm

  Trinity needs to put their Emercency center there. The emergency room,beds,operating rooms. All needed for surgeries. One day can stay at Montclair. That in it’s self would help the economy on the end of Eastwwod retail.
  As long as they quit catering to low income or rather assume everyone from Montclair on is on welfare.

  Trinity could have their ambulence center there and be right by the freeway. Also a police station and that would help crime as well.

• Darren // Jul 28, 2009 at 6:50 pm

  Since the Plaza is so close to the airport, it could be used, or part of it could be used to house a single rental car lot with all rental agencies located at the site. That would clear up some much needed parking space at the airport as it begin the major expansion. Rather than having separate shuttles for every company, a module lot could utilize one shuttle to carry all passengers with reservations to one single space. The remainder can be used to build at least two class A hotels for those who wish to stay near the airport. Imagine that!

• Tempt // Aug 15, 2009 at 12:49 pm

  I’d have to agree with John & Todd, a 2year college would be great for the area & plus the building is beautiful & it’s in good shape, I’d have to say heck no to any hospital business because hospitals need room to grow & there wouldn’t be any, I also disagree with any sort of living facilities or car lots, this is Birmingham & we definitely don’t need any more apartments or car lots in the city.