LANGTREE Mall has had its day and needs to be bulldozed and reopened to traffic, according to a new poll.
Sunraysia Daily conducted the poll over the weekend, asking our online readers to give their opinions on how they saw the embattled 35-year-old mall’s future.
An overwhelming 79 per cent of 1593 respondents said they did not support the mall in its current form.
On the question of how people envisaged the mall’s future, just over half (58 per cent) of the 1626 respondents said the mall should be demolished and reopened to traffic.
Thirty per cent of respondents supported the idea of bringing fresh attractions to the existing mall, while 10 per cent thought a bigger public space should be created with more shade.
Just three per cent of respondents voted for the mall to remain as it is.
Sunraysia Daily had nearly 200 comments on our Facebook post about the mall poll.
Many called for Mildura Rural City Council to revisit its plans for the shopping strip, where about a third of shops are empty between Eighth and Ninth streets.
“Get rid of the mall completely and make it a mini Chapel Street. Totally extend and convert that plaza into three levels with parking,” Donna Poulter wrote.
Dianne Dalla Santa suggested the council copy the city-centre look of a Yorke Peninsula town in South Australia.
“Kadina (has a) one-way main street and side streets and is the most attractive town centre I have ever seen,” Ms Dalla Santa wrote.
Sue Iredale said there was “currently nothing to attract me to the mall”.
“Only reason I go to Langtree Avenue is to eat out. Turn the mall into multi-level car park with shopping centre, food court and accommodation on top. Three stories with great river views from top level,” Ms Iredale wrote.
Daryl Blake said the mall was “a great idea originally, but has had its time”.
“The Fifteenth Street retail district has drawn too many shoppers away with lots of options and parking,” Mr Blake wrote.
“The mall needs to go to bring customers closer to what they want. Plus, parking in the city heart is a pain so the extra spots are greatly needed.”
However, the mall did have its supporters.
“I like the mall as it is, a good community space. All ages welcome etc. Shops are empty everywhere, not just in that area,” Terry McGowan wrote.
Susan Hill added: “Our mall is beautiful. We (just) need a strategy to entice a variety of businesses then the people will come.”
