GREENDALE FORUM

Saw this article in the paper today, and thought, "Gee, how come they didn't pick Southridge?"

Then I remembered Hermes and Michaels have their heads too far up the behind of Simon Properties to woo an idea like this. And Simon isn't professional enough to get Von Maur to take over the empty space. Guess they'd rather have senior living to help the tax base in Greendale.

They didnt pick anyone yet...

"It's certainly a center that we'd like to be a part of, but we're in discussions with other centers as well," von Maur said.

How do you know they're not considering Southridge? That article made it clear they've had problems getting into malls because of anchor tennants' vetos. The Brookfield Square owners made an offer, but have no agreement. Instead of attacking the powers that be in Greendale, why not find out if they are talkikng with Von Maur?

You're right. And how do you know they are? They've been looking for 10 years, and Southridge has had empty space for that long. If they really felt Southridge was a viable option, they should've been there by now.


Have you tried talking to Hermes or Michaels about anything at Southridge? At every comprehensive planning meeting it was mentioned at last year, Hermes said Southridge was doing their own plan on their own schedule (even though it was due by January 1). Hermes' line is that Southridge is near the top of the list for renovations when they have the money and the retail economy improves. But yet Simon had $2.3 billion to buy 22 Prime Outlet properties. Unless it was in the parking lots, it couldn't be discussed. At the special meetings for both the plan commission and village board last month, discussion was to carve up that end of the mall into four different lots. Generally something not done for a single major store/facility.

Let's say Von Maur was looking at the former Younkers building. Would it make a lot of sense to want to develop the parking lot of an anchor store, as the Village leaders envision?

I've attended the meetings, I've made comments, I've asked questions and I didn't get much in the way of answers. Have you?

Hopefully sometime soon we'll find out more, as the Village board went into closed session tonight to "discuss redevelopment proposals and economic development options related to the repositioning of Southridge Mall."

Well Growler, it seems those in Village Hall have big plans for the south end of Southridge, and right now I think the chances of it being a Von Maur got a bit slimmer.

JSonline article from Feb. 2: Greendale plans for development near Southridge

For those who don't know what a TIF is, or understand what the plan is, this link will help.

Of course, those 100 or so seniors will be lining up to play glow-in-the-dark mini-golf (yup, here it is) since they closed down that bingo-for-prizes operation.

If anybody has a problem with the Village forking over $4.1-5.7 million in taxdollars for a TIF district for the next 20 years (when the owner of Southridge just spent $2.3 billion on other malls) for this project, I suggest attending the public hearing on Feb. 16 at the Safety Center.