City officials and architects from Schmidt Associates have shared new redevelopment plans for Washington Square. The proposal moves away from the traditional mall model to create a mixed-use space for the community. During a presentation to over 150 residents, planners detailed designs that include a new sports complex, a medical facility, adult education areas, and a dedicated dining village.
While major anchor stores such as Target and Kroger will remain, the project targets the underused sections of the property, including vacant parking lots and deteriorating structures. The redesign introduces residential townhomes alongside expanded green spaces and walking paths to reconnect the property to the surrounding neighborhood.
Local stakeholders describe the project as a needed update for the east side. Business owners view the potential changes as a way to refresh the area and improve commercial activity for long-standing establishments. The development team is now working to secure private investment while gathering additional feedback from residents.
Project organizers emphasize that the current designs are a starting point rather than final blueprints. They plan to continue community discussions to ensure the final layout serves the needs of the area. No timeline for construction has been finalized as the team moves into the next phase of developer recruitment.