AMC movie theater Marple

[Rik Bitter]

I was in the mall on Friday and asked someone who worked there what the latest on the mall was. She said that deconstruction was going to start in 2015 tearing out the center of the mall and setting up the strip malls. In addition she said that the AMC would be upgraded.

Here is one of the more recent stories from November.

Granite Run plan: Save 3 anchor stores, demolish rest of mall

http://www.delcotimes.com/general-ne...h-rest-of-mall

MIDDLETOWN — A conceptual plan for a dramatic transformation of the aging, distressed Granite Run Mall unveiled at council’s land planning committee Monday night brought favorable response from a near capacity audience.

That’s because most people believe the badly neglected mall needs more than just a facelift. The plan of the new owner, Horsham-based BET Investments, calls for a completely new life.

When the financially troubled mall was purchased Sept. 20 for a reported $24 million by BET Investments, company President Michael Markman promised substantial changes would be made to the nearly 40-year-old facility to return it to its previous prominent place in the community.

“We want to change it into what today’s consumers want and bring a new sense of vibrancy to the property,” Markman told the committee.

The plan, outlined by Markman and company development director Peter Cleland, shows a mixed use retail/residential development on the 58-acre property. The mall’s existing three anchor stores — Boscov’s, Sears and JCPenney — would remain, but the interior of the mall itself would be demolished.

In its place would be an outdoor courtyard surrounded by upscale retail shops, sit-down restaurants with outdoor dining, seating areas, green spaces and other amenities to create an attractive, walkable “Main Street” concept.

Also proposed are two four-story, high-end apartment buildings, with 240 units on the Oriole Avenue side of the mall property and another 125 units on the former Chi-Chi’s restaurant site fronting Route 352. Most would be one-bedroom units marketed to young professionals and empty nesters. Markman believes the occupants would have few if any children, so there would be no major impact of the Rose Tree Media School District.

The Kohl’s and Acme stores would remain. So would the AMC movie theater and a stand-alone strip of stores fronting Baltimore Pike. However, because of their long-term leases, the future of the PennDOT vehicle licensing center and the Sears automotive center are undetermined.

“We welcome with open arms any improvement to the mall,” said Warren Kuo of Margaret Kuo’s Peking restaurant, which has been in the mall since it opened in 1974. The only other original tenant is Chick-fil-A.

Responding to a request from Kuo, Markman said every effort will be made to minimize the impact of demolition and new construction on existing tenants who wish to stay. He noted he’s already receiving calls from would-be tenants for the new outdoor shopping center and the first was Starbucks.

Traffic generated by the new development and impact on Oriole Avenue residents were among issues Markman said would be addressed as the plan proceeds through the approval process. Also, noted project Attorney Joseph Riper, sweeping changes to the zoning code would be required.

“We’d like to get started within a year or two,” said Markman. “We’re here to stay. We want to make this our best project in the Philadelphia area.”

Councilwoman Lorraine Bradshaw, who chairs the land planning committee noted conceptual plans will be available on Middletown’s website in a few days.

The article didn't mention it but I have to wonder if the Riddle Ale House will stay put. It predates the mall so it may not be included as part of the property. I haven't been there for over a decade but I suspect it hasn't changed a bit. I hope it stays put as a giant, dated eyesore in contrast to the spankin new town center they have planned.

[Pilot321]

Wow, is it really that bad? I worked in that mall for a few months when I was in high school, and it was relatively new then. Have things gone that far down hill in Delco?

[internet troll]

The article didn't mention it but I have to wonder if the Riddle Ale House will stay put. It predates the mall so it may not be included as part of the property. I haven't been there for over a decade but I suspect it hasn't changed a bit. I hope it stays put as a giant, dated eyesore in contrast to the spankin new town center they have planned.

From what I heard last year, it's their property and they are staying put.

[bogey1]

Wow, is it really that bad? I worked in that mall for a few months when I was in high school, and it was relatively new then. Have things gone that far down hill in Delco?

Its not that its "bad" its the economy (jmo). Ever since the gas prices went through the roof, the malls havent done anything. Have you been to granite run or springfield malls lately? The shops in the granite run mall are a friggin joke. Even spencers sucks. The last time i was at GR, there were more mall walkers than shoppers. It was a ghost town. Sadly the only thing that will change that is another walmart. Cheap chinese crap at cheap prices. Thats all most people can afford these days.

[internet troll]

Its not that its "bad" its the economy (jmo). Ever since the gas prices went through the roof, the malls havent done anything. Have you been to granite run or springfield malls lately? The shops in the granite run mall are a friggin joke. Even spencers sucks. The last time i was at GR, there were more mall walkers than shoppers. It was a ghost town. Sadly the only thing that will change that is another walmart. Cheap chinese crap at cheap prices. Thats all most people can afford these days.

Agreed about the economy. Unless you are a supermall like KOP, it's hard to keep up with box stores plus the Internet. I spend a lot more at Amazon than I do the mall.

[bogey1]

Agreed about the economy. Unless you are a supermall like KOP, it's hard to keep up with box stores plus the Internet. I spend a lot more at Amazon than I do the mall.

Yep. At least kop has something to look at (mainly the womenz) GR is an indoor track meet for the elderly with ear piercing and cell phone kiosks all over the place. All they do is make it harder to pass on the left.

[90volts]

Daily times today says it was an inside job.

[thundrr1]

Daily times today says it was an inside job.

Kinda..... He was an ex-employee and admitted to two other robberies.


Toll Brothers wait for no one,,,,, get the hell out of the way,,, here they come. They get all their ducks lined up and ROLL.