The April 23rd article was headed “3 chain stores to anchor Rt. 30 East center, Work on $40M complex to begin this summer.” It goes on to report “Joint developers High Real Estate Group and Faison Enterprises Inc. of Charlotte, N.C., aim to build a 285,000-square-foot shopping center for up to six anchor stores and as many as 20 or more tenants in all.”
WATCHDOG: Our concern for the continued viability of Park city Mall rises with the announcement of each new shopping center and mall. We may reach a tipping point whereby Park City begins to lose patronage and tenants. Within a relatively short time, perhaps three years, the corridors could be largely boarded up and the Mall face the same dire consequences that plagued downtown Lancaster forty years ago when shoppers turned to the new suburban centers.
If Park City deteriorates, it will be a crushing financial blow to the City and School District of Lancaster since they heavily depend on its tax revenues. The City’s problems will spill over onto the entire county.
Ground already zoned commercial is subject to shopping centers. But it is folly for municipalities to rezone large tracts for commercial development.
