The Fayette Alliance Urges Southland Christian to be Creative in Redeveloping Lex Mall Site
If Southland Christian Church buys the Lexington Mall property, the former Dillard's department store, center, would be renovated, the one-story portion of the mall, right, would be demolished, and a 2,800-seat auditorium would be built. The Richmond Road site would be the church's second satellite campus. | Kentucky.com
Southland Christian Church is in the process of purchasing the abandoned 32-acre Lexington Mall site, and aims to build a satellite church campus on the property for $30 million. The mall is currently zoned “Business” B-6P, which allows church uses. Initial development plans include demolishing the one-story portion of the mall, and in its place building a 2,800 seat auditorium; renovating the two-story Dillard’s building; and creating a greenspace with a water feature.
The Fayette Alliance appreciates Southland Christian’s investment in the blighted property, and urges them to be imaginative in redeveloping the mall. Specifically, the Alliance hopes that the storm water facilities, on-site parking, public greenspace, multi-modal transportation opportunities, and any potential retail uses will be creatively addressed moving forward. Click here to read more.
If done, Southland Christian’s project could be a win-win for the community–by improving a significant piece of property along one of the city’s most visible thoroughfares, while also satisfying Lexington’s desire to be a national leader in sustainable and green development.
We look forward to working with Southland Christian Church and the community at-large to discuss the site’s potential. We’ll keep you posted here at fayettealliance.com.
What would you like to see on the Church campus? Tell us here.
For more information on Lexington’s abandoned mall properties and the Fayette Alliance’s in-fill guidelines see below,
The Fayette Alliance conceptually supports the use of a vacant land commission and “blight tax” to facilitate the appropriate redevelopment of abandoned and underutilized properties inside Lexington’s city limits. Click here for more details.
“Southland Unveils Construction Plans” Beverly Fortune, Kentucky.com, posted February 20, 2011
“Architectural Renderings Revealed for New Southland Christian Church Campus” Andy Mead, Kentucky.com posted September 12, 2010
“Southland’s Plans for Lexington Mall Get City’s Blessing” Beverly Fortune, Kentucky.com, posted September 10, 2010
“Southland Christian Church Greenlighted to Purchase Part of the Lexington Mall Property” BizLex.com, posted September 9, 2010
“Southland Christian expects to buy, revamp Lexington Mall for $30 million:Pastor to outline details of funding plans in Labor Day weekend sermons” Beverly Fortune, Kentucky.com, posted August 24, 2010
“Southland Christian to buy Lexington Mall property: Church plans additional campus at Richmond Road site,” Scott Sloan, Kentucky.com, posted July 4, 2010
“Southland Christian in talks to acquire Lexington Mall” Tom Martin, BizLex.com, posted June 25, 2010
“New sign at Lexington Mall but no more changes planned” Scott Sloan, Kentucky.com, posted May 5, 2010
“Readers remember Lexington Mall, offer ideas for space” Scott Sloan, Kentucky.com, posted May 6, 2010
“Acres of prime land are full of potential: Await right developer,” by Tom Eblen, Kentucky.com, posted Nov. 9, 2009
“Lexington Mall at the mercy of out-of-towners: The state of retail in Lexington,” by Scott Sloan, Kentucky.com, posted Nov. 9, 2009
“Lexington Mall site history,” Kentucky.com, posted Nov. 9 2009
“Planning for redevelopment at Turfland Mall,” by Scott Sloan, Kentucky.com, posted Oct. 26, 2009