TACOMA, Wash. — New renderings obtained by KING 5 show what the Tacoma Mall could look like in the next few years, as mall owners have plans for a redevelopment project that would create what is called a “lifestyle village.”
Renderings show what looks to be multiple outdoor dining establishments and some retail space with landscaping and a mural. It would be built next to the existing mall.
The City of Tacoma said the permits being reviewed are for two buildings with nine tenant spots.
The Tacoma Mall has made other additions in the past few years, including stores like Nordstrom Rack in the parking lot. Residents have seen the mall change over the years.
“The movie theater used to be right over here,” sad Donovan Wedington, a Tacoma resident. “I was here before when they used to have the Farrelli’s down there in the seventies.”
Wedington is excited for the newest changes planned for the mall. He hopes for high end restaurants and a play space for kids to be included in the lifestyle village, and also some cover for rainy days.
“Having an outdoor setting would be nice,” said Wedington. “I think they might want to have it covered a little bit, have some type of umbrella up, because of how much rain we get. It would be great in the summertime, but you have to also consider our weather in Washington.”
Some people have high hopes for more food spots.
“It's kind of like what's happening in Ruston right now, like we're seeing a lot of redevelopment,” said Jack McGinty, who lives in Yelm but is a food delivery driver in Tacoma. “I like all the new restaurants, that's helping me out because I take orders all day, so I don’t mind it.”
Others said they think that improving safety at the mall needs to be a priority before they add more stores.
“I think security needs to be improved before they start improving the areas around it,” said Carson Clay, a Tacoma resident. “I think the limiting factor with people coming to the mall is the safety around here. I know my friends get their cars broken into here. I don't feel safe coming here when it's dark.”
The Simon Group based out of Indiana owns the Tacoma Mall. A representative said they plan to release details on this project in the next few weeks.