The Crossroads..It's future..

[Omaha Cowboy]

Against my better judgement..

I almost hesitate to post this because in the past, discussions (curiously to me at least) regarding the Crossroads Mall and it's future usually end up with the majority here posting Chicken Little proclamations of the mall's future demise..

But today's W-H has a very well balanced and detailed piece regarding the Crossraods Mall..It's current status..And where it is headed for the future..

From the W-H piece:

'At 859,000 square feet, the Crossroads Mall is the third largest enclosed shopping center in the Omaha metro area, behind Westroads Shopping Mall and Oak View Mall.

In January and February , four national retailers announced store closings nationwide that included locations at Crossroads.

Among the stores that are gone are Casual Corner, Easy Spirit, Gadzooks, Aeropostale, Payless ShoeSource, Husker Hounds and Milano's for Men. Younkers closed in January 2004.

Crossroads' location at the intersection of 72nd and Dodge Streets is "pretty vibrant," said Kevin Langin, senior director of marketing for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.

Langin said Crossroads is in transition with the construction of the Target store. He predicted that once the new store opens there will be an "influx of new and possibly different retailers."

McMullen and McDowell, the UNO students, said Crossroads is a good shopping center. They like its central location and are looking forward to Target's opening this summer.

At Crossroads, Simon Property must ensure that there is something that appeals to consumers who live in midtown and Dundee and those who are new to the area, she said. These are people who won't go farther west to shop because they have no access to dependable transportation or don't have the time, Atkins said.'..

The link to this complete and detailed W-H piece:

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=46&u_sid=2133598

One final note:

Friends, if possible lets dispense of the Crossroads is a 'heck-hole and should be blown up' commentary in this thread..

Thoughtful and meaningful commentary would be appreciated if you choose to participate in this seemimgly GAZILLIONTH Crossroads discussion..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

[MTO]

I have to agree the future looks bright for the mall. Mainly because there isn’t much more to lose and a whole heck of a lot to gain…
And wow does that feel good that they are caring/catering for us MTOers, although it just be from its location.

[omahapropertymanager]

The wife and I were at Crossroads last weekend, and I was thinking to myself that Crossroads really does have a lot of potential. It is a decent looking mall. It's just empty! They just have to go after the right tenants. If Simon has any clue at all they should be able to get things going again.

[MTO]

Or at least get the busses a place to stop instead of on dodge.

[Greg S]

I still think Steve and Barry's would be a perfect fit. Lately they've been taking over former anchor store spots at Malls with high vacancies but there should be enough vacant space that it could give them enough square footage. It would save me and my co-workers a lot of gas driving to Lincoln to shop there. I'd rather spend my money in Omaha if possible.

Greg