Plans for Massive Mall Withdrawn
A Gardena developer has dropped plans to build a massive 480-unit mall at the site of a former nursery on Redondo Beach Boulevard, days before the City Council was scheduled to vote on the project.
In a letter addressed to City Manager Kenneth Landau, developer Mike Su withdrew the application to build the Galaxy Mall. Su is “seriously considering putting in townhouses” on the 7 acres near El Camino College, said former Gardena Mayor Edmond J. Russ, who represented the developer on the project.
Soon after its unveiling last May, the Galaxy Mall elicited opposition from homeowners in the area who complained that the project would increase crime and traffic and decrease property values.
After Su withdrew the plan this week, some residents said they are optimistic but cautious until seeing what will replace the proposed mall. They had called for single-family homes on the site.
“We’re positive about multifamily dwellings because we do need more housing,” said Helen Carson, a community activist who had opposed the Galaxy Mall. “I think we compromised on both sides to work out a happy medium.”
Said mall opponent Cindy Mathiowetz: “It looks like things are moving in the other direction and we won’t have to deal with this horrible mall.”
Su’s plans for the mall called for a 190,000-square-foot, 2-story building with restaurants and space for 480 booth-like shops ranging in size from 180 to 2,500 square feet and selling for $80,000 to $100,000. Some opponents called it a glorified swap meet.
In July, after listening to lengthy testimony from the project’s detractors, the Planning Commission, with one member absent, split 2 to 2, in effect denying approval of the mall. Last month, City Council members listened to six hours of testimony overwhelmingly against the project before postponing a vote on the issue to next Tuesday’s council meeting.
‘Concerned Developer’
Russ said Su withdrew his application because he is a “concerned developer” and because of the community opposition.
“We really had the impression people would support the project if certain modifications were made, but that never happened,” Russ said. “If the people wouldn’t support it, it would have been crazy to initiate such a project.”
Also pleased by the withdrawal was Dan Walker, a consultant for Pioneer Theaters, owners of Roadium Open Air Market across the street from the project site. The mall would have competed with the Roadium for customers.
“I don’t think any development would have the negative impact on the area” that the Galaxy Mall would have had, said Walker, who also is a Torrance city councilman. “I’m very pleased that the concerns of the people in the area were heard not only by the developer but by the City Council.”
Before Su could build residential housing on the site, a zoning change from commercial to residential and an amendment to the city’s General Plan would be required, City Manager Landau said. The two actions would take 60 to 90 days.
