On the front page of today’s Washington Post’s ‘Metro Section’ is an exclusive article on City Place Mall. The majority of the article focuses on the negative issues plaguing the mall, indicating the lack of National retailers to lure in the “proper” demographics.

Commentary: I remember the first day city place mall opened because I was there. In my opinion the 5 level floor plan and the architecture that harks back to the art deco age of Silver Spring’s Prime makes this mall one of the most unique in the D.C. area. Contrary to what other people say, I like the mall (that is saying a lot from someone who doesn’t like malls in general) but there is no doubt it could use some improvements but with enclosed malls becoming a dying breed that will be a challenge.

One must point out that the neighborhood calls for more independent shops and City Place is full of them yet everyone labels them as “discount vendors” (I’ve seen a some expensive stuff there) and wants them run out of the mall and replaced by Old Navy, Banana Republic, and the GAP. How ironic? I guess independents don’t work
in an enclosed mall environment.

Since everyone likes to complain instead of provide a solution I’m going to take a stab at the latter. One neglected problem with City Place is not with the mall it’s self but the fact that it is across the street from the aging north core of the CBD with old office buildings from the 70’s that need to be demolished and store front retail full of nothing, literally. There is hope though with the new United Therapeutics headquarters and the possibility of the Cameron House Condo Tower. So at least that is being addressed to an extent.

What City Place needs to do is aim for stores and entertainment that do more than just sell clothes and food. A unique mall needs unique goods and services. I would love to see something along the lines of a Dave and Busters or Jillian’s taking the spot of the old theatre and although I like Marshall’s on an occasion, sorry excuse for anchors like Gold’s Gym and Burlington Coat factory single handedly keep the high income customers away. We also need an electronic goods store, maybe circuit city wouldn’t mind moving from Wheaton or opening another location. Actually we could use a CompUSA which shouldn’t have any trouble fitting into one of the larger retail spaces. The best thing though would be to attract a chain store not even in the D.C. area (Silver Spring seems to be good at that) Like Fry’s or New Egg. That will not only draw local residents but from all over the D.C. area.

Overall we must wait for some of the new residential to come online, once that happens residents will want to walk around their downtown and not have to go far out to look for good and services, that is why they moved here right? City Place management also need to focus on bringing in reputable tenants that exist outside the D.C. Area. When this happens don’t complain when a national chain store comes walking down the street and setting up shop in City Place mall.

P.S.: Write to the retailers you want in the mall, get them to notice City Place on their radar.