The progression of development in the past four decades in this first tier suburb had produced a commercial district with an increasingly aged stock of retail facilities juxtaposed with more recent, “big box” retailers. The result was a somewhat fragmented retail concentration with challenged sales potential. Also, in recent years, the proliferation of lifestyle centers and the revitalization of competitive area regional malls had exacerbated the potential of unfavorable shifts. The City of Springdale tasked MDI/PDI with creating a strategic plan for the revitalization of the commercial district, with the goals of:

• Enhancing/Maximizing the districts’ competitive position in the area’s retail market;
• Protecting and enhancing the real estate valuations of properties within the district;
• Providing an aesthetically positive retail shopping environment;
• Creating a model for financial investment in the district;
• Preserving and enhancing the tax revenues produced by the district businesses; and
• Evaluating the potential of further desirable densities.

MDI first begain with a comprehensive study of the characteristics of the commercial district then quickly turned to creating implementation steps for its revitalization. As ongoing advisement continues, progress is evident. New ownership for the regional mall has pledged cooperation with the City’s vision. National, new-to-the-market signature retailers are taking an interest in district sites. MDI has also received much positive feedback on its efforts from national ownership groups with area investments and new capitalization and re-capitalizations are being evaluated.