tucson shopping mall poised for significant redevelopment

Plans are now in the talking stage to transform a popular and upscale shopping mall in Tucson into a mixed-use site.
The Foothills Mall is located on the north side of the city at the intersection of West Ina Road and La Cholla Boulevard and has served as a popular retail destination since it was first opened more than 35 year ago.
But now, the Tucson-based Bourn Companies has announced plans to transform the site into a town center with restaurants, entertainment venues, walking and biking paths, and perhaps several hotels.
According to Pima County documents submitted by Bourn, the mall will be transformed into a “unique, exciting, regional destination and living environment with existing infrastructure to support the multi-dimensional development.”
The estimated $500 million project, which may be done in phases over a 10-year period, will see large parts of the existing 560,000 square foot mall upgraded, while other structures on the site will be demolished.
Sitting on just over 68 acres, the mall was mostly full in the 1980s and 90s, but saw increasing vacant space in more recent years with the opening of the Tucson Premium Outlets shopping center, some 8 miles to the northeast.

By Garry Boulard

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