What to do with Azalea Mall?
Photo by: Phil Riggan
It seems like every six months someone realizes Azalea Mall is a big desolate wasteland and that we should probably be doing something with it. This time it is Rachel DePompa over at NBC12:
The property is 48 acres of nothing but cracked cement, broken tiles, trees and weeds sneaking through chain link fencing. You almost expect to see tumbleweeds. The old sign for the mall still stands, like an obituary of stores long gone.
“It was nice to have a mall, but it was pretty rundown by the end,” she said. “We were promised all kinds of exciting things in it’s place, another mall with a movie theater, a place for kids to go.”
The comments of this post from way back in April had some good ideas for the site. Any new ideas? What would you do with the space?
I’m still a fan of the park idea, although it being so close to Bryan Park, there is always room for more parks. Imagine with community gardens, etc? Wow, that would be beautiful. Maybe even space for community lead art projects, etc.
Given we all need to “get physical” how about a walking, running, training “park” and I mean park like setting. My husband and I still go over to the walking park across from the old Richmond Memorial and love it. the “Azalea Mall Trail” could be highlighted with dogwoods, azaleas and other garden delights. How about a few fitness “stops” along the way. We also miss our doggy play days that used to happen at 13 Acres…there is also room for them. This space is “Huge” and loaded with potential. Love community garden idea…we should get Westminster involved as well , given this is their “side-door”. Grants for fitness are out there and this one works for community development, fitness, and “green space”.
I like the park idea. Put in a running trail like they have in Byrd Park.
I think it should be used as an athletics complex for VCU, with a football stadium, baseball, softball and soccer fields.
A public park for skeet and trap shooting. There could be summer programs for kids and a place for families to go and practice. Maybe even a few sporting clays stations.
It may not be the most feasible idea, but it would be pretty awesome place to put a zoo.
If not I still think an official, professional indoor and outdoor skateboard park could be built there. Something like the one at Potomac Mills.
Also, if I had my druthers I’d like to build an awesome putt-putt course there myself.
It’s a great place to teach your teenagers to drive.
Interestingly enough, Johnny-Jay, that’s exactly what it used to be – when I was growing up in the 70s and into the 80s, there was a “Safety Town” about where the garden supply center is. It was a miniature town used to teach elementary school kids about traffic safety. I also learned to parallel park there.
funnily enough I taught my wife to drive there just two years ago. Well look we found a use for it. Traffic safety center.
Two words: Star. Bucks.
Ha! My sister and I went to safety town- circa ’85. I also learned to drive stick there. There is so much empty retail in that area already, so not sold there. I would be behind a community garden in it’s spot.
I got it!!! THUNDERDOME!!
If it was a desirable place to put anything, then some business would’ve already bought the spot and done so. Aren’t people forgetting the whole reason the mall’s not there anymore? It’s in a complete ghetto.
I think building a prison there would be the most logical thing to do.
Jesse, I disagree with your comment about that area being a complete ghetto. There are several great homes and neighborhoods not too far from there.