New images show master plan for former Hickory Hollow Mall site
ANTIOCH, Tenn. (WKRN) — Images showing a transformation of the former Hickory Hollow Mall/Global Mall at the Crossings have been revealed nearly three months after officials announced the site would be demolished.
Back in 1978, the Hickory Hollow Mall — now known as Global Mall at the Crossings — opened its doors to shoppers, becoming the Mid-State’s fifth mall and Antioch’s main shopping hub.
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The space has set empty for years and in March of 2022, the city of Nashville purchased it for $40 million. Now, officials have released a master plan that looks to revitalize the space for the 21st century.
“It’s better for pedestrians, it’s better for bicyclists and families who want to go to a green space and spend time and gather with others,” said Katie Kemezis, project manager for the Global Mall Study. “It just creates much more of a neighborhood instead of a big concrete jungle, which it is now. Those graphics help to tell the story of what the vision is, and it’s really a vision from the community members of Antioch.”
Courtesy: Metro Nashville Courtesy: Metro Nashville
The proposed vision looks to transform the site into a mix-use, walkable center that promotes quality of life, economic opportunity, equity, and environmental responsibility.
“When you talk to people about the Global Mall, they will tell you they had their first job there, they used to hang out on Saturdays with their friends, they’ve got pictures in their work uniforms, people get really animated because it’s a historic site for the city,” said Metro Councilwoman Joy Styles. “We have been working on a community plan for the Global Mall site since 2019. I’m very excited to see the needle finally move forward.”
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More than 1,200 people collaborated with city staff through participation in workshops, stakeholder meetings and community events to help create a vision for the future of the area.
“Before, when we had community engagement during this study, we were still building ideas with the community,” Kemezis said. “We heard from them during our first community workshop, the second one we played with different ways of arranging and organizing the site, and then the third we shared a draft concept. Hearing all of that feedback, this is the culmination of that.”
According to the renderings, the plan would keep the library, community center, community college, KIPP school and Ford Ice Center, which already exist on the site.
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However, several new additions, including cultural museums, art galleries, and a theater, will be added to the site to “highlight the city’s creative community.”
“What we’ve heard from people is they were really seeking a place where they could bring their families for entertainment, food, gathering and for celebrating the culture,” Kemezis said. “That’s a big part of Antioch.”
Metro already announced plans to build a transit center at the site since the mall sits along one of the busiest WeGo bus routes in the city.
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The site is set be demolished due to “water damage at the property,” according to Alex Apple, spokesperson for Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell.
Residents who wish to share their thoughts or learn more about the proposal are asked to attend community meetings.
Office Hours: Friday, June 21 from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. Southeast Library 5260 Hickory Hollow Parkway Antioch, TN 37013
District 32 Community Meeting: Wednesday, June 26 at 6:00 p.m. Southeast Community Center 5260 Hickory Hollow Parkway Antioch, TN 37013
Office Hours: Thursday, July 11 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Southeast Library 5260 Hickory Hollow Parkway Antioch, TN 37013
The updated proposal will head to the Planning Commission on July 25.
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