Phoenix strip malls need to be renovated, suffer near freeways
Mar 8, 2015, 10:51 AM | Updated: 10:51 am
PHOENIX — The city of Phoenix is considering an initiative that would revamp and remove outdated strip malls.
The Phoenix Business Journal reports Phoenix City Council members Bill Gates and Jim Waring are trying to push a plan through that would help these shopping centers in the midst of “decline in occupancy, quality of stores and viability.”
While you would think freeways allow more Arizonans to get around and bring traffic to these struggling strip malls, freeways actually hurt these businesses.
“Freeways put an end to that drive-by traffic,” said Phoenix Community and Economic Development Director Christine Mackay. “Take 32nd Street from Shea Boulevard to Union Hills Drive. After SR 51 opened, traffic on the street dropped from 50,000 vehicles per day to around 10,000 vehicles. That’s taking 80 percent of the customers away from the stores.”
Although the funds are not currently there to revamp 32nd Street, Mackay says that’s not stopping Phoenix residents from meeting to discuss more “walkable,” fresh shopping centers.
