Whittier : New Guidelines Adopted to Help Boost Struggling Mall

The Redevelopment Agency has adopted new development proposal guidelines for the perennially struggling Whittier Quad mall, which city officials say has become more attractive to developers since the October earthquakes. The agency unanimously approved a policy to seek more shops, a movie theater and restaurants for the Quad, whose retail vacancy rate plunged to 55% after the May Co. closed in late 1986.

The 33-acre mall, on Whittier Boulevard about eight miles from the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway, was included in the Uptown earthquake redevelopment area approved by the City Council late last year. The Oct. 1 earthquake leveled a parking structure in front of the mall.

Robert Griego, the Redevelopment Agency’s executive director, said the Quad has failed because of piecemeal development, poor traffic circulation, and poor visibility because of commercial strip centers along Whittier Boulevard. City officials want to reroute traffic patterns and possibly add a traffic light in hopes of making the mall more attractive to developers.