Battling Seminole Towne Center mall could be ‘repurposed’ by next yr

SANFORD, Fla. – Pay a visit to the Seminole Towne Heart and empty merchants mirror a trend at purchasing centers and malls across the nation: some consumers are only spent with brick-and mortar.

On Monday evening, Sanford’s Director of Setting up, Amye King tackled the dwindling department merchants specifically to metropolis commissioners for the initial time.

King instructed News 6 she was tapped by the city manager to carry suggestions to the table about where by she and her workers think the long term of the property lies. The transfer arrived right after greater part proprietors of the Seminole Towne Centre submitted a proposal which could get the house re-zoned for any selection of thoughts.

“This is the biggest extend of retail, the highest and greatest use of I-4,” King told Commissioners. “Sanford warrants the most effective.”

In accordance to King, shopping mall proprietors suggested a variety of distinctive selections for repurposing the center, which includes a housing advancement, education center, healthcare making and storage facility.

“We are not fond of outdoor storage or displays,” explained King. “This is primary actual estate for the metropolis of Sanford.”

King and her workers also noted they do not suggest the room for “festivals, carnivals” or for automotive functions, like a commercial vehicle great deal.

The discussion is just in the beginning phases however, and ultimately the determination about what to do with the property, if anything at all, would tumble on the owner given that the property is privately owned.

News 6 located the greater part operator Kohan Retail Expense Team bought Seminole Towne Heart for around $52.3 million proper immediately after the coronavirus pandemic commenced. Records display the home deed was transferred in lieu of foreclosure.

Kohan did not reply to our request for comment.

“Knowing this is non-public assets, we are unable to be the dictators,” King instructed commissioners. “We have to leave the list of utilizes open, vast open.”

But owners of the shopping mall may want to look domestically at other battling location malls. For instance, the Oviedo Mall repurposed its defunct Macy’s shop into flats earlier this yr.

When Information 6 questioned consumers what they assume really should materialize to Seminole Towne Heart, we got a combined bag of responses.

“There is absolutely nothing improper with it that I’m informed of. I shop in this article all the time,” reported Mary Manley, a lifetime Sanford resident.

“As prolonged as it is something for the folks to stay entertained with and, you know, a little something to go and do in Sanford, that would be great,” explained 20-12 months-previous Emily Bieganowski, who mentioned she would shop at other plazas if the shopping mall was repurposed.

A different loved ones wanted distinct manufacturer-identify stores.

“We decide other malls 1st above this a person,” claimed Neomi Zepeta, who is 26 yrs old.