Future plans for Capitola Mall being discussed ahead of community meeting..
Capitola Mall could be seeing some changes, including the possibility of housing on-site.
The mall switched ownership in 2016 and city officials along with owners, Merlone Geier, are looking at new ways to keep people coming to the mall.
With the growing popularity of online shopping, city officials say rather than competing with online carriers, make it a space with more than just retail.
The Mayor of Capitola, Michael Termini, says the building of the mall in the 1970’s was a huge turning point for the city and is hoping the new revamp will be another big step. “We want to create a place to go to, a destination. A lot of activities, a lot of restaurants, considering perhaps a hotel, some residences, a cineplex,” says Termini.
“The future of the mall is something we look to very keenly in Capitola. It provides a really important tax base that supports all the other services here in Capitola, so how the mall changes over time is really critical to how we are able to provide services to the rest of the city,” says City Manager Jamie Goldstein.
KION spoke with some residents of Santa Cruz County who agree the revamp is much needed. Jessica Wieland lives down the street and says, “all of the stores have closed lately and we’re down to 2 restaurants in the food court and people enjoy coming here when it’s rainy and so I think it’d be awesome to add a little more to the mall.”
Santa Cruz County Resident Dario Amira agrees, “I think it’s a great idea cause there’s so many people out here already and compared to other cities this mall is pretty small.”
Mayor Termini says Merlone Geier has had great success with other mall properties they own in California. “Merlone Geier is very forward-thinking, they know what works and housing incorporated with the mall seems to work,” says Termini.
There will be a meeting held at Capitola City Hall on January 24th with Merlone Geier planners and City Officials to discuss planning in more detail. That meeting is open to the public.
