Residents Supportive Of Mall Plans

State Senator Fred Strahorn (center) listens along with Trotwood residents as consultants explain conceptual plans for the former Salem Mall site.

By Bruce Kettelle

About 180 residents eager to hear about plans for the site of the former Salem Mall came to the Trotwood High school Monday night. Mayor Darryl Davis, City Manager Mike Lucking and a team of economic development professionals laid out the details for two hours and took questions for another hour.

“That’s what we want, a multi-prong approach, not just retail,” said resident Adrienne Heard who also runs a management consulting business in town. “I like the greenspace public area, the public area is what I liked about the Salem Mall,” she said after the presentation.

The concept plan includes about 8 acres of open greenspace that could include a performance stage, space for a farmers market or any combination of other events and gatherings that can help make the site a destination.

The study accomplished by The Stonehenge Company and Bird Houk Collaborative for the city intends to guide the next phase to include more specific design guidelines and identifying specific initial tenants for the central Salem Avenue location. The concept is to integrate retail, offices, housing, and other services to give the initiative a longer lifecycle than a typical retail only development.

“Projects like this take a long time,” said Stonehenge president Mo Dioun. He cited a similar project that has been in the works for three and a half years and recently decided to delay another nine months due to the economy. “Without public support of the city council this will not happen.”

He looks to establish synergy between the public needs and the private developers he describes as “selfless thoughts and actions” that benefit both. The plan depends on creating a destination that engages a sense of ownership for residents.

Dioun stressed that there are 500 regional malls in the US undergoing similar dramatic change and applauded the city’s efforts to be proactive.

Lucking introduced additional experts being utilized by the city including a DC lobbyist who helped bring a $1-million federal budget earmark for Salem Av street work, global technology experts, an economic development consultant, and experts on emerging environmental technologies.

“I appreciate we are using experts and asking for community input,” said Heard.

Timothy Cargle, another local business owner was hopeful the plan could lead to success for the city. “To a greater degree it’s confirmation of economic development,” he said. “I believe companies will come here if they sense an opportunity to grow.”

There were questions from about 10 audience members. Most sounded positive about the concepts and tried to pin the consultants down on more specific timelines.

Timelines and more detailed design specifics will come in the next phase said Jim Houk president of Bird Houk Collaborative. He assured that phase would include additional community input. The city council will be facing the decision whether or not to proceed very soon.