News 8-24-08 Park Lane Promenade

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Posted by: urbanblog - 8/25/2008 8:45:07 AM
Too bad it's not closer to what I proposed over at the urban blog. Still, funny to see this mall start out an outdoor mall, turn into an indoor mall, and turn back into an outdoor mall. Sure has a lot of parking lot :P

Posted by: Mike Van H - 8/25/2008 9:07:56 AM
I totally thought of you too Ken when I saw those plans. My first thought was 'yikes, Ken isn't going to be very happy about this!'

Posted by: Mark W. - 8/25/2008 1:39:00 PM
Whether the developer has it in mind or not, this proposal does have the potential to support infill and multi-use development - definitely moreso than Meadowood Mall does. It is a pity that no serious proposal was made to attempt to re-use the existing building at Park Lane.

Posted by: John - 8/26/2008 4:33:36 AM
After looking at the full sized image, I'm not sure what to expect from these plans. I find it interesting that they have pretty much blocked off the Century Theatres and left it with what looks like a slightly landscaped path between the buildings and a narrow drive lane between the back sides of the new buildings and the theater. I imagine there will be some major road humps/traffic calming needed there to slow people down. And looking at the very large retail space at the south end of the plan, I think we can assume that a WalMart Super Center will be finally moving into the area as there are very few stores that can use a 147,967SF space.

Posted by: Mike Van H - 8/26/2008 8:00:43 AM
John don't say the W word! That's evil LOL. I would prefer a target Greatland or whatever those giant Targets are called over a Wal-Mart for sure. I would like to see some street-oriented renderings to see what the buildings will actually look like; it's hard to tell which way the buildings would face, but making the front of the theater face the back side of retail buildings would be horrible planning...I would hope if it's called Park Lane Promenade, that they at least make the building fronts face each other.

Posted by: Brian - 8/26/2008 4:11:18 PM
I am a bit disappointed now. This is a great chance to do something urban. this design reminds me of a suburban style shopping center. I know no renderings have been released so maybe my judgment is premature. Instead of some Walmart coming into the area perhaps a Ikea would be better. Also I thought there was a gaming license established for this site? Until I see a more promising project fit for this site I'll remain mute.

Posted by: Mike Van H - 8/26/2008 5:44:51 PM
I agree Brian...judging by my poll results it's not the most ideal shopping style people like. With a property that huge, it would be very easy to build a connecting mall that connects Gotchalks to the movie theater. Or something more akin to Urban Blog's park lane plan http://theurban.blogs.com/urbanspaceconsulting_home/2007/11/reno-back-of-th.html however I still have yet to see any renderings of the buildings... hopefully they have at least somehwat of a stylized facade.

Posted by: John - 8/27/2008 10:21:49 PM
Amazingly enough, the original plans for the movie theater called for it to be connected to the mall in the location of the former anchor store that was demolished (JC Pennys...I think). However when demolision was complete and construction began, the movie theater was in the current location. I think that was probably one of the factors in the fairly rapid decline of Park Lane Mall. With the movie theater's remote location, visitors had no reason to step inside the old mall. As for the potential W****** vs. Super Target. I would love to have a Super Target here in Reno. I just visited the brand new one in Atwater, CA (somewhere between Stockton and Fresno on 99) and the supermarket part of the store is pretty nice. Essentially its a Target Greatland with a supermarket section that felt slightly smaller than the food section at the W****** SuperCenters.

Posted by: RenoSteve - 8/28/2008 8:01:19 AM
For what it is worth, probably not much :-), here is my take on Park Lane Mall. Decades ago Park Lane was created as a "regional mall" with high end anchors and a variety of specialty stores. It was located on the primary north south artery of the day - Virginia St. In the decades since that time, I80 has replaced US 40 as the primariy East West artery and US 395 (soon to be renamed I580) has emerged as the primary north south artery. As the city grew and its transportation arteries changed Park Lane was poorly located to compete and failed as a regional mall. Today Meadowood, remains the primary regional mall, but it will have increasing competition from both Summit (as that area grows following the completion of I580 though to Carson City) and Legends gets completed (along with Veterans parkway that will essentially link the two new malls by connecting Mt Rose Highway to the south with Sparks Blvd to the North. Despite is poor "regional mall" location (a long way off the freeway), it is ideally situated to become a successful neighborhood mall. Gottshalks is a good general clothing retailer and if the nearly 148,000 sf turns out to be a Target Greatland or similar, it will also appeal as a close place for neighborhood shoppers to frequent. The expansion of Shoppers Square on the other side of Plumb - with its new "Staples" store - will also help. I think the plans for this area, while not "exciting" like "destination" retail in regional malls, is highly appropriate for the location. It will probably contain a nice variety of restaurants, shops and general merchandisers in addition to the movie theater, Gottshalks and Target (or similar) that will meet many of the shopping and dining needs of the surrounding population.

Posted by: urbanblog - 8/28/2008 12:30:11 PM
John: It was Weinstocks, if you can believe it.

Posted by: babycakes - 8/28/2008 6:21:52 PM
those in "retail mall" gigs call these "lifestyle centers", rather than malls. The concept arose in response to youth gangs and violence occurring in indoor malls. By removing the roof, theory had it the youth element would go elsewhere....in our case, the river. Personally, I save too much to shop in Nevada...on-line is the way to go.