Prince George’s County’s plans to redevelop the dilapidated Laurel Mall face stiff competition from well-established malls and other developments within a few miles of the city. The mall, which opened in 1979, enjoyed moderate success for several years before losing business and tenants to nearby Columbia Mall and Arundel Mills. Laurel residents say the mall, now anchored by Macy’s and Burlington Coat Factory, is an eyesore on Route 1.
“It’s not the mall people want to go to, it’s the mall people run from,” said Bibi Perotte-Foston, president of the North Laurel Civic Association.
Developer Greenberg Gibbons plans to demolish the mall entirely and rebuild it as a town center similar to the Annapolis Towne Centre and Hunt Valley Towne Centre — retail and residential developments the company helped design.
Officials hope a unique new space can compete with Arundel Mills, Columbia Mall, and eventually Konterra, a state-sponsored mixed-use development just a few miles away. And with Fort Meade nearby, developers want to attract new workers being shifted to the military base.
Laurel Mayor Craig Moe said a new town center would take advantage of the valuable real estate the mall sits on along Route 1. It must if Laurel wants to compete with neighboring Anne Arundel, Howard and Montgomery counties.
Its ability to compete will depend on what stores the town center can attract, residents say.
“It all depends on the anchor stores they put in, and it also depends on how soon Konterra gets built,” said Melissa Daston, president of the West Laurel Civic Association.
Greenberg Gibbons is essentially in a foot race with Konterra to see who can build first and take advantage of any new business brought by Base Realignment and Closure, she said.
Two national chains have signed on as tenants at the new town center, and the developers plan to reveal new designs early next year, according to Moe, who said he did not know which chains are on board.
“From what I see and what I’ve been told, I think people in Laurel are going to be happy with what’s coming,” Moe said.
Developers have the permits necessary to begin demolishing parts of the mall in the next three to four weeks, he said. Stores will remain open for now.
