I'm keeping my fingers crossed that 1.) The announcement is not about the mall, and 2.) If it is, the mall is not being sold to Kimco Realty, who would likely not consider community input from those who DO NOT want the mall to be demolished. It seems that the mall lately has a renewed energy with the opening of new stores and a large amount of public interest. Demolishing the mall (as Kamenetz seems to want) would be a very poor decision consdering that at least 1/2 the community does not want it to happen, but instead want to see the current mall improved.

I think turning the mall into what Hunt Valley is now, would be a step in the right direction. Look what Hunt Valley Mall was and now is! What a wonderful difference. Owings Mills Mall became a place where it was unsafe to shop due to all of the crime. If they turn it in to an open space shopping area, crime would drop due to the open air appearance and folks would come out again to shop as they would feel safer.

The statistics that Alex Pyles posted from 2010 have proven that the mall is not unsafe. It is only the perception that many in the community have. With an outdoor shopping center, there is no temperature control, and with concerns about crime, outdoors may even be perceived as more unsafe. This concept worked well in Hunt Valley, but with the location being the primary concern of many, there is no guarantee that this concept will also work in Owings Mills. Also, if the new shopping center being built in place of the Solo Cup plant is to be built in the same style as the outdoor shopping center in Hunt Valley, I don't feel it would make sense to have two of the same concept blocks away from each other.

Hey Jeff, No one gives a crap what you think. Are you member of the executive team of the developers or sitting on the Board of Directors ? if not, then you have no vote. I'm sure that the developer has done a demographic study of the area and figured out what will work in the area. The developer does not need to consult you or Vickie Almond to put in his mall.

Apparently Mel, you have no class and no respect for others. If you don't have anything kind to say to others, then keep it to yourself. While I completely respect the viewpoints of others, I feel very strongly about the fact that the mall needs to remain in its current form. Apparently people DO care what I think! If they didn't, then why during the Patch poll did 1/2 of the community agree with me that the mall should NOT be torn down. I don't have to be part of a Board of Directors or part of the ownership of the mall to make a difference. There are many who will listen to interested citizens if they want their businesses to be successful, regardless of their opinions. Apparently, there is a difference of opinion, and that is something that you also need to respect.

Right now, our roads can't take any more traffic. Is Mr. Kamenetz going to widen Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills Boulevard, Painters Mill Road?

Jeffrey, with all due respect, how in the world can the mall (in its current condition) survive? Occupancy is low, people do not shop there as they once did and the negative perception about the mall being unsafe is real - I have talked to many people who simply do not want to shop at the mall because they have said, to me, that's they dont feel safe there.

It's best to re-invent the mall and redesign the site into something new that would reinvigorate the area and spur some excitement. I think it can be done, but it has to be done in manner that makes sense and can be successful.

I personally would love to see a portion of the property redeveloped into a community park, with a man-made lake surrounded by a walking path. With, perhaps, the rest of the property used for retail and whatever else the market demands.

BluePeace, you make a lot of good points. However, it should not be ignored that 1/2 of the community still supports the mall and wants to see it improved in its current form. A new shopping center would still be on the same land, so I can't imagine how people would feel any safer there. In my opinion, the announcement (clearly spearheaded by Kevin Kamenetz for political reasons) shows that this is a sad day for the mall. Hopefully some of the other politicians will care enough to listen more to community members and take into the account that many of us still want the current mall to stay standing, and that the idea of an indoor mall is not completely out of fashion.

I think rebuilding a mall in the same location is a waste of money and
within five years the mall will come down yet again. What does the
county executive think will change? Fundamental thinking, why do
the same thing and expect different results?

The internet is the new mall for shoppers, lower overhead and expenses
offering convenience to the customer.

I believe the location would better serve the people in Owings Mills
if the builders would construct a hospital or cancer institute in that location

The would not only provide jobs and revenue to the area, but also
provide the citizens of Owings Mills what is really needed.

He seems to expect that since the outdoor shopping center is now in style, it will prodice different results. As much as I would like to see this project succeed, you are correct that there is no guarantee. And we will also have shopping at the Metro Centre and Foundry Row in the near future. A different type of project could get better results. I think they should just keep the current mall (or at least part of it), and then add other businesses/services to what is already there.