Talk about a massive change:
Razing the roof: Metrocenter's renovation plan approved
The roof is coming off Metrocenter.
Carlisle Development Group walked out of this week's Phoenix City Council meeting with unanimous approval of its proposed multiple use planned unit development for the aging Metrocenter property.
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said it’s the first time in his memory of city council actions that a PUD of this size was approved by every member of the council.
The venerable enclosed mall, once a Valley showcase, now recovering from harder times, is poised to reinvent the idea of a urban center for west Phoenix.
There will no longer be a much of a Metrocenter Mall, though. Carlisle is planning on opening up the project into a urban center complete with a street grid and walkable space to move between retail, office, medical and residential developments.
Walmart’s new story anchors the south end of the property and Dillard's remains anchored on the northeast side of what was once the enclosed mall.
The new design integrates office, shopping, and a major medical clinic. A new cinema complex is planned on the west side of the loop road, across from the residential center.
Metrocenter Mall also integrates a pedestrian pathway from the light rail station on the east side of the mall into the center of the district.
Walmart’s groundbreaking is anticipated during the current year, but Carlisle officials cannot comment on the project, and Walmart has declined to disclose a start date.
Eric covers economic development, banking and finance, infrastructure, transportation and utilities.