Plans to give Alexandria’s declining Landmark Mall a face-lift took a major step forward yesterday, part of the city’s plan to strengthen economic growth, city officials said.
Mall owner General Growth Properties Inc. has hired Gregory Hamm, a longtime Northern Virginia mixed-use development project manager, to lead the Landmark redevelopment project. Hamm helped plan and develop Reston Town Center and Dulles Station, among other projects.
If the project stays on track, the existing mall will be torn down and replaced by a mixed-use, upscale shopping area.
Hamm’s appointment means General Growth is finally committing to fixing the mall after years of prodding from the city, said Alexandria Deputy City Manager Mark Jinks.
The mall’s assessed value has dropped from $205 million in 1991 to $84 million in 2007, he said.
The three-level mall is anchored by Sears, Macy’s and Lord & Taylor.
Hamm said Tuesday that General Growth will award a contract by late January to an engineering firm to study linking the mall to the Van Dorn Metrorail stop.
With redevelopment moving forward, Jinks said, Alexandria soon will be able to reap the financial rewards.
“Alexandria exports retail dollars, and we want to have those tax dollars up there,” he said, referring to the mall.
The announcement of Hamm’s appointment comes just days after the City Council adopted recommendations from the city’s Economic Sustainability Work Group that listed redeveloping Landmark Mall as one of 10 priorities for improving the city’s economy.
The group, composed of Alexandria business leaders, has been developing an outline for the city’s economic future since June 2006.
Some portions of earlier draft recommendations already have been implemented, including engaging the mall owner in redeveloping Landmark Mall.
Hamm’s appointment is an outcome of that process, Jinks said.
The adopted recommendations also include making better use of Alexandria’s waterfront property and rebranding the city to attract tourist dollars, a process that also is under way.
