NJ Spotlight: Remaking Empty Office Parks, Malls
Some New Jersey municipalities are working with developers to creatively recycle empty office parks, like the 2-million square foot former Bell Labs complex in Holmdel and CooperDale Plaza in Somerdale, Camden County, according to a report by NJ Spotlight.
The 473-are Holmdel site, vacated in 2006, is uniquely symbolic of what the website describes as "the deep trouble that New Jersey’s office parks and shopping centers face, victims of the recent trend that favors reinvesting in urban centers over continuing suburban and exurban sprawl -- a trend taking hold across the state and the country."
Changes in business priorities, office technology and shifts in housing preferences and shopping patterns are all being cited as factors in the evolution away from office complexes and malls.
Townsquare's Jason Allentoff last August took a look at some of the concepts being considered for the Bell compex in Holmdel last August.
Is there an empty office complex or shopping mall in your community that needs a second llife? What would you like to see done with it? Share your thoughts below in "comments."