Holladay residents sound off on Cottonwood Mall project

HOLLADAY — Neighbors are excited to see the 45-year-old Cottonwood Mall finally receive a much-needed renovation — but they want it done right.

Mitigating traffic, noise, lights and pollution were some of the biggest concerns Holladay residents have about a new Cottonwood Mall, which they addressed to the Holladay Planning Commission Tuesday night. Neighbors have watched Cottonwood Mall fall from the pinnacle of shopping it was in the '60s and '70s and struggle to compete with the freeway-oriented malls that cropped up across the valley in the '80s.

"We're in favor of many things regarding this project and opposed to few," said Leo Sharp, who is leading the informal group Cottonwood Mall Neighbors. "At this point, I think we all have more questions than answers."

Many residents attending Tuesday's hearing live on Arbor and Memory lanes, the streets west of the mall. While cutting down traffic was a big concern, Sharp also asked that demolition of the mall be limited to normal hours and that project work cease on Sundays.

"We want to ensure the protection of the quiet neighborhood flavor of Arbor Lane," said Maunsel Pearce. "We think that the current amount of traffic use is excessive now."

"This is going to be a three-year-long project and I'm going to be living across the street from it ..." added Steve Glaser. "Realistically, to know if the development makes sense or not, we want to know what's going to happen to the traffic on Highland. Let's make sure the project is of a size that still makes you want to drive along Highland."

Since Holladay has no defined zone for everything Cottonwood Mall developers want to include in the new project — retail, commercial, housing and open space — the city must create a new zone, which they are calling a regional/mixed-use zone.

A new Cottonwood will follow a nationwide trend of pedestrian-friendly, walkable neighborhoods. Wheelchair-bound Rebecca Wassem is excited about the prospect.

"I think it will be an economic boon for the city as well as a real draw to our community," she said. "When the mall was originally built, it was a revolutionary idea for this area. And I think this mall is going to be the same thing."

General Growth Properties, which bought the mall in 2002, is tackling the task of renovation. They plan to start demolition on Oct. 15, except for anchor store Macy's.

Kris Longson, vice president of development for GGP, said developers want to incorporate the history of the mall and bring it up to a new entertainment level.

"This has always been an entertainment place, a place to dine," he said. "We very much hope to create a place in the community."

Of the 57 acres total, Longson said 17 acres will be open space. He hopes to put more community into Cottonwood, including 500 living units that vary in size from condos to single-family homes.

The commission will add Tuesday's comments to the Cottonwood Mall Master Plan. They did not approve a new regional/mixed-use zone but instead planned to gather more information and continue a public hearing at a future date.

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