The company that developed the Shops at Atlas Mall is now looking to build a shopping center on Cooper Avenue in Glendale that would include three anchor tenants and small stores and restaurants with outdoor seating, according to Community Board 5.
The proposed Glendale Shopping Center would be located at 8200 Cooper Ave., just east of the Shops at Atlas Park, and would include about 217,000 square feet of retail space and 133,650 feet of storage space, according to preliminary plans that have yet to be formally introduced to the community board by the development group ATCO. According to an informational brochure from Schuckman Realty, the shopping center would be built in two phases, the first of which would be completed in 2015 and the second in 2016.
“They are floating this design idea,” CB 5 District Manager Gary Giordano said. “The purpose of this information seems to be to get business’ interest.”
While Giordano said he has not heard many ideas floated as to what the community would like to see in the space, he did note that a bowling alley could be welcome.
“Woodhaven Lanes closed years ago, and I always thought a Dave and Buster’s type place would do well around here, and there’s space there,” Giordano said.
ATCO, which is run by the Hemmerdinger family, did not respond to a request for comment, and a Schuckman Realty representative said the company was not commenting on the proposal at the moment.
According to the preliminary plans, the shopping center would include a 2,000 square foot grocery store anchor – something residents said they would welcome. The first construction phase, which could be completed by fall 2015, would include 137,000 square feet of retail space and 133,650 feet of storage. Phase two, which could be wrapped up by spring 2016, would include 80,000 square feet of retail.
Additionally, there would be more than 500 free parking spaces at the center, according to the same proposal.
The free spaces would likely be a welcome addition, as shoppers frequently complain about having to pay for parking at Atlas Park.
After its launch in 2006, Atlas Park has faced a series of struggles – including the closure of many of its original stores. Beginning in 2011, the mall began to revamp itself, adding stores that residents said were more affordable, as well as increasing the number of community events hold at the site.
A number of well-known stores opened at Atlas over the past year, including Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, and Moe’s Sneaker Spot, among others.
The number of restaurants in Atlas has also grown, and Subway, Venetia Ristorante, California Pizza Kitchen, Chili’s, Johnny Rockets, Shiro of Japan, Starbucks, and others are at the mall.
By Anna Gustafson
