Plans unveiled to convert Galleria Mall site into largest mixed-use residential, retail space

The District Galleria project would eliminate the vacant space that was home to the Galleria Mall for 43 years.

Emily Young

Sep 28, 2023, 2:11 PM

Updated 345 days ago

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News 12 got a first look into a new plan to convert the block where the Galleria Mall currently sits. It’s called "District Galleriam," and it’s about as opposite of an indoor mall as one can get. "The entire site of 11 acres is going to be buildings, open space, interactive areas and six buildings with about 3,200 units,” says the project’s developer Louis Cappelli. But there’s actually another goal entirely with this project: opening up the city and making it more pedestrian-friendly. Instead of a massive building spanning the entire block, there will be pathways and green areas connecting this downtown area in a way that it’s never been before. And while the added foot traffic will certainly bring more business to the area, business owners are worried about one thing: parking. But Cappelli says there’s no need to worry. "Were going to have 3,500 spaces for the public, spaces for residents, spaces for retail." Cappelli says if everything goes according to plan, this project, which is estimated to cost about $2.5 billion, could be finished in about eight years. "Eight years until it's built...Where are the cars going to go in that meantime?" asked Michael Tacij, the co-owner of “Addicted to Ink” located right across the street from the mall. That’s one of the questions that will have to be answered down the line as this project is developed