By Miriam Raftery; Kristin Kjaero contributed to this story
Big changes could soon be coming to Grossmont Center
January 28, 2015 (La Mesa)--At the La Mesa City Council meeting on Tuesday night January 27th, Steve Cushman gave a presentation regarding the future of the regional shopping mall and surrounding properties owned by the Cushman family.
A 50-year lease with developers of the shopping center expired in mid-January and now the shopping mall and adjacent properties are reverting back to the Cushman family. That includes 125 acres, extending beyond the mall itself to many surrounding sites.
The land encompasses the area bounded by the trolley and Interstate 8 on the north and south, Jackson Drive on the west from Friar Tuck’s to Frazee’s and on the east, everything from 24-Hour Fitness to beyond Trader Joe’s, including three buildings in the Grossmont Medical Center.
Cushman told the Council, “The family is committed to reinvesting in the center.” He added that the many leases have been renewed with retailers. The mall is now over 95% released and the medical buildings are more than 83% leased.
But major renovations could be on the horizon. Cushman indicated the family is considering multiple options and no decision has been made. One possibility would be major redevelopment that could include residential above retail. CVS pharmacy could become residential and the Red Lobster site might become a hotel. Student housing for SDSU students close to transit is yet another possibility.
He also indicated that a lease has been negotiated to convert Arby’s into a Sonic drive-through.
According to Cushman, the combined properties currently account for 20% of La Mesa’s sales tax revenues – revenues that potentially could increase if major new retail or hotel space is added.
That's big news for La Mesa -- as it was when the mall was built just over 50 years ago.
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