Built in 1974, Washington Square Mall used to be a shopping mecca that would draw Hoosiers from around the state. More than 50 years later, the center is struggling to attract even its neighbors, prompting the question of what its future holds.
As thunderstorms raged outside on April 27, a group of about 50 Indianapolis residents, mainly far eastsiders, mulled what they want to see happen to the decaying mall that was once a milestone landmark of the community, as one attendee put it.
Washington Square Mall at 10202 E. Washington St. has seen better days, residents agreed, but what development should go in the huge piece of land — bordered by 10th Street to the north, Washington Street to the south, Mitthoefer Road to the west and the Grassy Creek to the east — is up in the air.
Neighborhood leaders told the residents they are hoping to share more concrete plans for the site later this year.
Some residents say they would like to see mixed-use development that has exploded the economy in places like Carmel and Fishers. Others want a more traditional investment in a place to shop that also serves as an indoor gathering place for kids, families and senior citizens alike.
“Our seniors would come and walk in the mornings, so it was a nice indoor space to walk,” said Samantha Douglas, president of the Far Eastside Community Council. “I think that’s what I’m missing the most in that space.”
Schmidt Associates is completing a development study of the 45-acre site at the request of City-County Councilor Michael-Paul Hart, who represents a large swath of the city, from Beech Grove to Cumberland. Lauth, a Carmel-based development firm, is paying for the study through a tax abatement payment connected to a project at the Thunderbird Commerce Park.
The study, scheduled to be completed by the end of June, will delineate infrastructure limitations at the site, illustrate what mixed-use urbanism might look like and present high-level development blueprints.
“Those are the things that the investors want to see because that’s going to impact how much money they’re going to need,” Hart said.
The future of Washington Square has been in limbo for years. The current owner, Cincinnati-based Durga Property Holdings, teased that they would be open to selling the nearly 2 million square feet of space last fall, though nothing has physically materialized yet.
But the mall’s future is a hot-button topic. East-side residents in attendance chose this meeting over a standing-room-only information session happening just a few miles away in Irvington about a proposed data center.
Many people said they frequent the 12-screen AMC movie theater, Target and Chacharas Chuchín, a discount store that sells clothing, furniture and more.
However, a survey conducted by Schmidt of people in the neighborhood found that most people do not go to Washington Square Mall on a regular basis. Most said they went once or twice a week in the past.
All in all, east-side residents agreed on one thing: They want a retail destination that resembles what other areas of the city already have but remains true to the identity of the diverse neighborhood.
“I would like for whatever ends up happening to continue to link back to what everybody in here refers to as the golden age,” 29-year-old Jordan Rose said. “I want something that is culturally relevant to us.”
Alysa Guffey writes business and development stories for IndyStar. Contact her at alysa.guffey@indystar.com.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: What’s next for Washington Square Mall? Residents debate future
Reporting by Alysa Guffey, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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