THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 22, 1996 TAG: 9609210502
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Interview
LENGTH: 69 lines
As senior vice president of development for Taubman, John Simon has been involved in the search for anchoring department stores, construction and design of the proposed MacArthur Center shopping mall in downtown Norfolk. Simon, project manager for MacArthur Center, spoke last Wednesday to residents, merchants and others who gathered at Nauticus to hear the latest design plans for the mall. The designs have been developed to fit in better with the city's downtown. Simon spoke after the meeting with staff writer Stephanie Stoughton.
Q: There have been no leases signed with Nordstrom or Dillard's. How important is this?
A: It's a non-issue. . . . It's standard operating procedure in the industry.
Q: Were you upset at the criticism over the design of MacArthur Center? (Several local architects and others complained that the suburban-style mall wasn't pedestrian friendly and didn't invigorate the city's downtown.)
A: Not at all. How can you get upset at people for expressing their ideas? There always are people . . . who would have designed our building different. That is not interpreted as a condemnation of the project.
(Simon talked about his desire that the city, businesses and others focus on the 20 blocks around MacArthur Center, ensuring they are revitalized and then fit in with the vision for downtown Norfolk. Architecture and signs should be cohesive, he said.)
Q: Are you saying that the design of downtown streets surrounding the mall will look disorganized without a collective vision?
A: Yes. There are other issues. . . . Is there enough parking? Is it in the right locations? These things need to be addressed. All have a domino effect. . . . They should have started six months ago.
Q: What will be the impact of having an upscale mall built in Newport News, which has been proposed?
A: Is Nordstrom's going there?
Q: Well, what if they get other anchors like Bloomingdale's, Macy's or Lord & Taylor?
A: I'll buy you a nice dinner.
Q: You don't believe this mall in Newport News is going to go ahead?
A: I'll tell you that the singular fashionable retail address (in Hampton Roads) will be MacArthur Center and downtown Norfolk.
Q: We've been referring to MacArthur Center as the $300 million mall. Is this accurate? How much will it really cost?
A: It may be more that that. . . . But $300 million is a good estimate.
Q: Will the changes made to MacArthur Center's design make it more expensive?
A: Yes. I don't know how much more. But at the end of the day, it will be worth it.
Q: Nordstrom signed an agreement to not open another store in the area, but Dillard didn't make that agreement. Do you you expect Dillard to open up other area department stores?
A: Yes. I would suspect that Dillard will try to open other stores in this area. That doesn't concern me because Dillard is building its largest department store in this region, 240,000 square feet (at MacArthur Center).
Q: How much will retailers be paying per square foot in MacArthur Center?
A: Let me suggest that rents will be north of $25 per square foot, probably closer to $35 per square foot. But that's on average. Some retailers will be paying $85; some $10.
Q: Do you have any idea who the third anchor will be?
A: Yes, I do. But I'm not going to tell you. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
John Simon
KEYWORDS: INTERVIEW MACARTHUR CENTER by CNB