Comments on: Big Box of Trouble: Dealing with the Coming Plague of Empty Superstores http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/ America Under Construction Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:34:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Mind The Gap « Empty Mass Ave http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/comment-page-1/#comment-12672 Mind The Gap « Empty Mass Ave Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:54:13 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=977#comment-12672 [...] behind a bleak corner right in Central Square. Empty big box stores in Middle America are being turned into churches, but what will become of the empty storefronts in the [...] [...] behind a bleak corner right in Central Square. Empty big box stores in Middle America are being turned into churches, but what will become of the empty storefronts in the [...]

]]> By: The Trouble With Big Box Stores « Simple Savvy http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/comment-page-1/#comment-9721 The Trouble With Big Box Stores « Simple Savvy Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:37:31 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=977#comment-9721 [...] in death, big box stores hurt the community.  The article Big Box of Trouble: Dealing with the Coming Plague of Empty Superstores details the problems of having empty shells all over the [...] [...] in death, big box stores hurt the community.  The article Big Box of Trouble: Dealing with the Coming Plague of Empty Superstores details the problems of having empty shells all over the [...]

]]> By: Ted King http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/comment-page-1/#comment-4318 Ted King Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:05:29 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=977#comment-4318 To : Lourdes Re : Does she think the automobile is going away? I think the lady is trying to get us to re-think our land use / waste habits. I live in a high-transit city (San Francisco) and have worked in various parts of the surrounding area. It is difficult and time-consuming to shop at the stores in suburbia - I have felt like I am trekking across the Sahara Desert when I cross some of those parking lots. The lack of sidewalks makes some stores unfriendly and at times dangerous to get to. Yes, cars will be with us for some time to come. But when you compare three local malls (Stonestown, Serramonte, and Tanforan) only one - Serramonte - is bus-only (non-primary service). The other two have rail connections (Muni M-Ocean View, BART) which makes them more accessible. Those two also have primary-level bus service (Muni #28, Samtrans #390+#391). All three have large parking lots. I know this makes the SF Bay Area a little weird - many of our inner circle malls are tied into the transit systems. Some of this was in the initial design and others by in-filling. I'm hoping to see a covered bike parking area with room for adult trikes at a mall one of these days. To : Lourdes
Re : Does she think the automobile is going away?
I think the lady is trying to get us to re-think our land use / waste habits. I live in a high-transit city (San Francisco) and have worked in various parts of the surrounding area. It is difficult and time-consuming to shop at the stores in suburbia - I have felt like I am trekking across the Sahara Desert when I cross some of those parking lots. The lack of sidewalks makes some stores unfriendly and at times dangerous to get to.

Yes, cars will be with us for some time to come. But when you compare three local malls (Stonestown, Serramonte, and Tanforan) only one - Serramonte - is bus-only (non-primary service). The other two have rail connections (Muni M-Ocean View, BART) which makes them more accessible. Those two also have primary-level bus service (Muni #28, Samtrans #390+#391). All three have large parking lots. I know this makes the SF Bay Area a little weird - many of our inner circle malls are tied into the transit systems. Some of this was in the initial design and others by in-filling. I’m hoping to see a covered bike parking area with room for adult trikes at a mall one of these days.

]]> By: John Ryan | Blog » Blog Archive » Recycled retail http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/comment-page-1/#comment-2879 John Ryan | Blog » Blog Archive » Recycled retail Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:59:33 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=977#comment-2879 [...] an interview with the Infrastructurist blog, Christensen comments on the local, even idiosyncratic nature of [...] [...] an interview with the Infrastructurist blog, Christensen comments on the local, even idiosyncratic nature of [...]

]]> By: The Daily Dig - NY Times ‘Special Infrastructure Issue’ Edition » INFRASTRUCTURIST http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/comment-page-1/#comment-2720 The Daily Dig - NY Times ‘Special Infrastructure Issue’ Edition » INFRASTRUCTURIST Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:12:07 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=977#comment-2720 [...] column, Rob Walker speaks with two experts we’ve done Q&A’s with on this site–Jill Christensen about re-using empty big box stores and Ellen Dunham Jones about reclaiming dead malls — who [...] [...] column, Rob Walker speaks with two experts we’ve done Q&A’s with on this site–Jill Christensen about re-using empty big box stores and Ellen Dunham Jones about reclaiming dead malls — who [...]

]]> By: Bigbox your brain « The Morgan Hill Grid http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/comment-page-1/#comment-1364 Bigbox your brain « The Morgan Hill Grid Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:21:36 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=977#comment-1364 [...] the blog “Infrastructurist’ comes an article “Big Box of Trouble: Dealing with the Coming Plague of Empty Superstores“, an interview: The problem of retail vacancies on this scale is so new that it hasn’t [...] [...] the blog “Infrastructurist’ comes an article “Big Box of Trouble: Dealing with the Coming Plague of Empty Superstores“, an interview: The problem of retail vacancies on this scale is so new that it hasn’t [...]

]]> By: Weevie http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/comment-page-1/#comment-1099 Weevie Wed, 22 Apr 2009 05:35:27 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=977#comment-1099 The author might want to check out Metrovation and perhaps visit 2 of their successful mall rehab projects in the Puget Sound Area: Lake Forest Towne Center, developed in the 60's and rehabbed in the 90's, and Crossroads mall in Bellevue, also an old style mall rehabbed into new, mostly commercial uses. What's interesting about their projects is that the new uses are mostly for private businesses as opposed to government. The author might want to check out Metrovation and perhaps visit 2 of their
successful mall rehab projects in the Puget Sound Area: Lake Forest Towne Center, developed in the 60’s and rehabbed in the 90’s, and Crossroads mall in Bellevue, also an old style mall rehabbed into new, mostly commercial uses. What’s interesting about their projects is that the new uses are mostly for private businesses as opposed to government.

]]> By: Dan’s Plans » Blog Archive » 101 Ways to Redevelop a “Dead Mall”… http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/comment-page-1/#comment-872 Dan’s Plans » Blog Archive » 101 Ways to Redevelop a “Dead Mall”… Thu, 09 Apr 2009 03:55:30 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=977#comment-872 [...] Big Box of Trouble: Dealing with the Coming Plague of Empty Superstores [...] [...] Big Box of Trouble: Dealing with the Coming Plague of Empty Superstores [...]

]]> By: Lourdes http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/comment-page-1/#comment-697 Lourdes Mon, 30 Mar 2009 03:36:50 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=977#comment-697 "Q: You describe big box stores as unsustainable. In what way particularly? A: The main thing is that they are built on a car-centric structure. So you can’t really get to these buildings without cars. Then there’s the acres and acres of impermeable parking lots, land that we’re just paving over." I don't follow. Does she think the automobile is going away? “Q: You describe big box stores as unsustainable. In what way particularly?

A: The main thing is that they are built on a car-centric structure. So you can’t really get to these buildings without cars. Then there’s the acres and acres of impermeable parking lots, land that we’re just paving over.”

I don’t follow. Does she think the automobile is going away?

]]> By: Reign of Tara » Interesting Article - Re-using the Big Boxes http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/comment-page-1/#comment-680 Reign of Tara » Interesting Article - Re-using the Big Boxes Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:14:37 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=977#comment-680 [...] Or, what do do with a dead Wal-mart? http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empt... [...] [...] Or, what do do with a dead Wal-mart? http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empt... [...]

]]> By: Amped Status » Blog Archive » Economic Crisis = USA Riots http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/comment-page-1/#comment-387 Amped Status » Blog Archive » Economic Crisis = USA Riots Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:37:48 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=977#comment-387 [...] the masses that already can’t pay back loans and credit cards, let alone afford to keep their warehouses, stores, offices and homes. The US government, which is about to pump another $787.2 billion of tax payer [...] [...] the masses that already can’t pay back loans and credit cards, let alone afford to keep their warehouses, stores, offices and homes. The US government, which is about to pump another $787.2 billion of tax payer [...]

]]> By: Dorothy Stolarski http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/comment-page-1/#comment-359 Dorothy Stolarski Fri, 06 Mar 2009 23:40:17 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=977#comment-359 This article has hit the mark about big box development and its life cycle. The time for big box is ending. I agree we need to find creative ways to reuse the dreams of business that have become the nightmare for communities. In London, ON. CANADA a community group has formed known as the Friends of Meadowlily Woods to preserve and protect this environmentally significant area. The area is also rich in heritage, that has a hertiage home in Meadowlily Woods, Meadowlily Bridge and the Meadowlily Mill. These three items give the area a heritage status. No more Big Box, your time has come and gone. A new era is emerging that looks towards sustainablity and the importance of the environment. We only have one earth, let's start taking better care of it. This article has hit the mark about big box development and its life cycle. The time for big box is ending. I agree we need to find creative ways to reuse the dreams of business that have become the nightmare for communities. In London, ON. CANADA a community group has formed known as the Friends of Meadowlily Woods to preserve and protect this environmentally significant area. The area is also rich in heritage, that has a hertiage home in Meadowlily Woods, Meadowlily Bridge and the Meadowlily Mill. These three items give the area a heritage status. No more Big Box, your time has come and gone. A new era is emerging that looks towards sustainablity and the importance of the environment. We only have one earth, let’s start taking better care of it.

]]> By: DrumBeat: February 28, 2009 | Bear Market Investments http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/comment-page-1/#comment-295 DrumBeat: February 28, 2009 | Bear Market Investments Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:44:15 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=977#comment-295 [...] Big Box of Trouble: Dealing with the Coming Plague of Empty Superstores The problem of retail vacancies on this scale is so new that it hasn’t really been studied yet. Perhaps the only authority on the subject of empty big box stores is Oberlin College professor and artist Julia Christensen. She has spent the last seven years traveling around the country seeking out and documenting cases of communities reclaiming abandoned big boxes and putting them to a socially productive use–for instance, as museums, libraries, rec centers, and schools. She wrote about it all in her recently published book Big Box Reuse (MIT Press). A few days ago, we got her thoughts on how towns and cities can make beneficial use of these vacant structures and turn a hole in the local fabric into a community asset. [...] [...] Big Box of Trouble: Dealing with the Coming Plague of Empty Superstores The problem of retail vacancies on this scale is so new that it hasn’t really been studied yet. Perhaps the only authority on the subject of empty big box stores is Oberlin College professor and artist Julia Christensen. She has spent the last seven years traveling around the country seeking out and documenting cases of communities reclaiming abandoned big boxes and putting them to a socially productive use–for instance, as museums, libraries, rec centers, and schools. She wrote about it all in her recently published book Big Box Reuse (MIT Press). A few days ago, we got her thoughts on how towns and cities can make beneficial use of these vacant structures and turn a hole in the local fabric into a community asset. [...]

]]> By: Big Box of Trouble: Dealing with the Coming Plague of Empty Superstores « Ukiah Blog Live http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/comment-page-1/#comment-280 Big Box of Trouble: Dealing with the Coming Plague of Empty Superstores « Ukiah Blog Live Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:49:51 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=977#comment-280 [...] reading Big Box of Trouble at the Infrastucturist→ Hat tip Energy Bulletin [...] [...] reading Big Box of Trouble at the Infrastucturist→ Hat tip Energy Bulletin [...]

]]> By: Froggie http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/comment-page-1/#comment-277 Froggie Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:31:42 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=977#comment-277 I've been to the Spam Museum. Had no clue it was a former K-mart. I’ve been to the Spam Museum. Had no clue it was a former K-mart.

]]> By: Fort Worth Real Estate » Blog Archive » Big Box Blues http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/comment-page-1/#comment-268 Fort Worth Real Estate » Blog Archive » Big Box Blues Sat, 28 Feb 2009 19:56:44 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=977#comment-268 [...] Professor, artist, and author, Julia Christensen asks “What do we do with all these empty Big Box retail locations”?  [...] [...] Professor, artist, and author, Julia Christensen asks “What do we do with all these empty Big Box retail locations”?  [...]

]]> By: Anna Troupe | Creative » Blog Archive » Imploding Retail Chains = “Giant” Opportunity for Socially and Environmentally Responsible Design http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/comment-page-1/#comment-255 Anna Troupe | Creative » Blog Archive » Imploding Retail Chains = “Giant” Opportunity for Socially and Environmentally Responsible Design Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:00:19 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=977#comment-255 [...] giants? Good question, and one which more and more communities find themselves forced to answer. Read this interview with professor, artist and author, Julia Christensen, for some unusual yet uplif... Click here to download a PDF copy of my [...] [...] giants? Good question, and one which more and more communities find themselves forced to answer. Read this interview with professor, artist and author, Julia Christensen, for some unusual yet uplif… Click here to download a PDF copy of my [...]

]]> By: The Bellows » Blighters http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/comment-page-1/#comment-240 The Bellows » Blighters Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:09:14 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=977#comment-240 [...] at the Infrastructurist, Jebediah Reed has an interview with Julia Christensen, author of the book Big Box Reuse. The book discusses ways to turn a plague [...] [...] at the Infrastructurist, Jebediah Reed has an interview with Julia Christensen, author of the book Big Box Reuse. The book discusses ways to turn a plague [...]

]]> By: My Old Circuit City is a…Church!?!?! « Counter Culture http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/comment-page-1/#comment-239 My Old Circuit City is a…Church!?!?! « Counter Culture Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:52:38 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=977#comment-239 [...] Why can’t we come up with these ideas? Anyway, many of these tenant changes are fascinating, some of which are detailed in this interview. [...] [...] Why can’t we come up with these ideas? Anyway, many of these tenant changes are fascinating, some of which are detailed in this interview. [...]

]]> By: Reusing big box stores. From a Kmart to the Spam Musuem. | Politics in the Zeros http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/comment-page-1/#comment-230 Reusing big box stores. From a Kmart to the Spam Musuem. | Politics in the Zeros Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:09:14 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=977#comment-230 [...] have been taking empty big box stores and converting them into public spaces, go kart tracks, museums, and office space. Most such conversions so far have [...] [...] have been taking empty big box stores and converting them into public spaces, go kart tracks, museums, and office space. Most such conversions so far have [...]

]]> By: Susie Sonneborn http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/25/big-box-of-trouble-dealing-with-the-coming-plague-of-empty-superstores/comment-page-1/#comment-227 Susie Sonneborn Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:34:16 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=977#comment-227 I loved this piece! This is so fascinating--and inspirational--that for a demented moment it had me wishing we had a local abandoned big box store to get brilliant with. Instead, I'll send this along to folks who do live in the land of big boxes, with the hope this gets read far and wide. Great way to inspire people to think their way out of the (big)box! I loved this piece! This is so fascinating–and inspirational–that for a demented moment it had me wishing we had a local abandoned big box store to get brilliant with. Instead, I’ll send this along to folks who do live in the land of big boxes, with the hope this gets read far and wide. Great way to inspire people to think their way out of the (big)box!

]]>