Sentinel staff report–
Plans to completely transform the aging, 100-acre Sunrise Mall property into a “21st Century Main Street” continue to move forward, as the city on Friday announced plans for a June 30 public workshop to discuss the mall’s future.
New images showing the city’s preferred concept plan for a re-envisioned Sunrise Mall property detail out a central “main street” and a large community park with event space. The only existing buildings that would remain are JCPenney and Macy’s Womens on the eastern side.
In March, during a rare joint study session with members of the Planning Commission and City Council, city leaders selected the preferred “Main Street” conceptual plan for the future of the mall that calls for at least one hotel, over 800 residential units, a looping bike path, major office space and a “town center” for outdoor events.
The preferred layout was selected out of three conceptual options presented by a consultant the city hired last year to develop a “shovel ready” Specific Plan to guide the mall’s future development.
From March: Here’s the 3 concept options for the future of Sunrise Mall
Options ranged from mild to radical transformation, including a conceptual plan for “adaptive reuse” of the existing mall property that would maintain most buildings but add two hotels and other residential/commercial space in under-utilized parking areas. The more radical option, “Central Park,” envisioned demolition and redevelopment of the entire property, with an amenity-focus including potential for a water park and sports field.
As the city does not own the mall, the Specific Plan being drafted can only set a framework to guide future development at the site, and the city is not able to dictate which specific tenants will set up shop. The Stock Ranch commercial area in front of Walmart on Auburn Boulevard is also guided by a Specific Plan.
The city’s upcoming June 30 workshop will be held via Zoom, at 5:30 p.m. Registration information is posted at sunrisetomorrow.net.
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