Vacated Alexandria Store Could Become Homeless Shelter

ALEXANDRIA, VA—After Macy's and most of the Landmark Mall closed in January, it was a key step toward a major redevelopment. But Alexandria residents will have to be patient, as it could be years before it fully comes to fruition. For the time being, it's not retail that could come to the former Macy's location.

A homeless shelter could temporarily set up in the vacated Macy's space, NBC Washington reports. Former Mayor Kerry Donley, who is on the board of directors at Carpenter's Shelter says the redevelopment plan aligns with the need for a temporary shelter. The temporary move would house the homeless as the shelter completes a two-year renovation on its current location.

Donley told the news station the shelter could sign a lease within the next two weeks and move in 60 to 80 residents by the new year.

Mall owner Howard Hughes Corporation has plans to transform the old mall into a mixed-use space with retail, residential and entertainment elements. On "The New Landmark" website, which provides project updates, the company says the new development will include new residences, plazas and green spaces for community events, shops and restaurants, a 10-screen movie theater and more.

Only the Sears store and a bank on the shopping center property remain open.

There is no finalized schedule for redeveloping the Landmark Mall. The acquisition of Macy's builds on the initial rezoning approval by the Alexandria City Council in June 2013.

NBC Washington's initial survey of viewers found 78 percent support turning vacant retail buildings into homeless shelters.

Do you agree with the move to turn the vacant building into a homeless shelter? Let us know in the comments.

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Image via Payton Chung/Flickr, used under Creative Commons