The Dark Side of White Flint, Part 50
Welcome to The Dark Side of White Flint, an ongoing series about the not-so-wonnerful, wonnerful, wonnerful side of urbanizing the suburbs of Montgomery County.
Nature may have reclaimed much of the former site of White Flint Mall at 11301 Rockville Pike, but its fenced-off parking lot has just been claimed by a motorcycle safety school. Motorcycle Safety Academy plans to host safety and training courses on the lot, with the first one scheduled to begin March 22, 2025. Additional courses may be added.
Minus the island of Pike & Rose, which Federal Realty has singlehandedly steered to great success, the 2010 White Flint sector plan has been an unqualified failure more than a decade after its passage. The financial loss created by the destruction of White Flint Mall, although likely offset by developer-friendly tax breaks, is staggering. Think of all the retail sales, video games played, movies watched, and Cheesecake Factory meals consumed - and monthly tenant rents collected - that would have been racked up if the mall was still standing today. Doh!
19 comments:
Me likes the Lawrence Well reference!
Maybe they can make a raceway for dirt-bikes? The rapidity that plant roots break down asphalt and concrete is fascinating.
It was the owner of White Flint Mall, the Lerner family (not mentioned in this article) who made the decision to close, demolish and redevelop the mall.
It was Lord & Taylor (now defunct, and also not mentioned in this article) whose lawsuit prevented redevelopment of the mall site.
Lakeforest Mall is in about the same state of deterioration, two blights that must be concerning to big money anchor retailers. Whats the story on those three awkward to get to hugh office buildings on the SW corner of Rville Pike and Gude?
Nova has quite a few totally empty office buildings one can see from the Silver line. But nothing like our vacancies I think. Depends on what you read.
So 3:28, you're alluding that closure was capricious on the Lerner's part and not based on the overall business environment we have here in MC? Was L&T also not magnanimous enough to lose more money in a deal gone sour? Interesting.
No way, it's the gubmints fault!
"Think of all the retail sales, video games played, movies watched, and Cheesecake Factory meals consumed - and monthly tenant rents collected - that would have been racked up if the mall was still standing today. Doh!"
If if's and buts
were candy and nuts
we'd all have a Merry Christmas.
You can't always get what you want.
Meanwhile, a few miles away, Westfield Montgomery was packed for holiday shopping this season.
And Cheesecake Factory continues to do good business there.
3:28 PM here replying to 1:51 AM - No I am simply saying that it was the Lerners' decision, not based on any "capriciousness" as you wrongly inferred, nor having to do with MoCo, but the decline of shopping malls everywhere.
P.S.: Go to bed already.
*Welk
The only other close competition left is around Tysons which has very few vacancies.
What they really need to do and open up is an automobile safety school in addition to. But crazed, hurried delivery drivers, carjackers & the infamous car roll-over expert perps would never, ever sign up for any such school or course.
Since you mentioned Tysons as well as Cheesecake Factory, it's worth mentioning that Cheesecake Factory as well as Maggiano's have both moved out of Tysons Galleria and into Tysons Corner Center. The main mall is doing well but the Galleria is struggling.
If you're going to open a pop-up, MM is the place!!
I'd counter your observation by reminding you of Wheaton Mall, but who in their right mind would go there?
What 'they' need to do is have some way of reporting Uber and lyft drivers as they rush to make pickups. Once the passenger is in the rider can report dangerous drivers, but then they're on their best behavior. When they're making pickups there is no number like on cabs that one can report Third World problems foisted on the people that paid for the roads for their (un)Profesional benefit. Now a hazard.
Wheaton Plaza is thriving - no vacant anchors and dead wings unlike MM. I’ve been there several times in the past year and I’ve never felt any danger there. Stop being scared of people with darker skin than you.
Agreed! As avid walker and bike rider, the Uber and lyft drivers are a huge danger: racing, illegal uturns, general disregard. They need to display placards to hold their feet to the fire. Don't get me startedon our third world scooter problems. Not only delivery issues but I saw over a father, mother and young child! on one just the other day. No tags, no helmet, no goggles. We pay for that.
Wheaton Plaza has Target, new AMC theater with recliners and restaurants. Great mall!
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