On Monday, the Tucker City Council met to discuss a redevelopment proposal for Northlake Mall in Metro Atlanta. The owners of the mall, which has been struggling to gain foot traffic and has seen most of its storefronts shut down, presented their ideas to convert the property into a mixed-use development.
Highlights
- Owners of Northlake Mall presented their ideas to convert it to a mixed-use development to the Tucker City Council.
- Council members heard the concept proposal, which is not a formal application.
- The owners sought the city’s response to plans for approximately 500 housing units on the property.
City Hears Proposal to Transform Northlake Mall
The Tucker City Council heard from representatives of ATR Corinth Partners, owners of Northlake Mall, about their plans to add a residential development to the property. The presentation was only an update on the current status of the mall and the concepts for its future. It was not a discussion of a formal application. The owners were seeking feedback from the city council members on what an acceptable redevelopment plan would look like.
Council members asked the presenters questions about the proposed plans and how they would be implemented. Den Webb, the attorney representing the owners and the developers, answered the members.
His presentation made clear the city must approve land‑use permits before redevelopment can begin. The recording of the June 23 City of Tucker council meeting is available.
Details of the Presented Redevelopment Concept
The proposal calls for transforming the Northlake property to have two five-story buildings, which will include 495 housing units. The construction of the units will happen across two phases, with the first phase building 315 units and the second phase including 180 units.
Plans also include green spaces and pedestrian trails. There will be demolition of parts of the existing structure that will happen as part of the redevelopment.
Although the owners say the revitalization will bring major changes, some opposition has emerged. For example, some of the business owners who remain at the mall are concerned about having to move if the plans come to fruition.
A Brief Look into the History and Current Status of the Mall
Northlake Mall spans over a million square feet, on 80 acres of land. It was the largest mall in Metro Atlanta when it opened and housed over 100 businesses.
However, in the past decade or so, the mall has declined as consumer behavior changed due to the advent of online shopping. The mall is far from an isolated case, as malls across the country have been facing similar issues and have been undergoing transformations.
