An LA based artist is about reopen a 100,000 square foot disused JC Penney as an arts complex in West Houston. The former West Oaks Mall anchor had been vacant for two years before becoming the focus of the new rehab concept.
Artist Sharsten Plenge is looking for potential collaborators for visual, sonic, multimedia and other productions. Her approach to creating what she calls "a laboratory," is varied and places a high value on participation. She is also seeking to include a cafe or bar alongside a high resolution screening venue and green alternative to augment the space's air conditioning.
Her plan is to create a "multi-disciplinary, multi-use arts complex" at the intersection of Westheimer and Hwy. 6 intended to bring "some art and culture to the starving suburbs of West Houston."
Property owners Pacific Retail Capital Partners have agreed to allow the space at West Oaks Mall to be used rent free for a minimum of two years, and are hoping the project will lead to long term value increase, while providing a source of immediate cultural capital to the surrounding area.
FULL STORY: New Arts Complex Planned For Abandoned JCPenney at West Oaks Mall
Maryland Mall to Be Transformed into a Town of its Own
North Bethesda's White Flint Mall is your standard 850,000 sq. ft. mall surrounded by parking structures. The developer has announced it will be replacing the whole thing with a 5 million sq. ft. collection of apartments, offices and shops.
Dead Mall? Convert it to a Health Clinic
Closed and struggling malls around the country are being repurposed as healthcare centers.
Boston's New Mayor Wants to End Old Urban Renewal Districts
Michelle Wu, Boston's new mayor, is ready to finally end the government powers that displaced communities in the mid-20th century.
Planning for Congestion Relief
The third and final installment of Planetizen's examination of the role of the planning profession in both perpetuating and solving traffic congestion.
Minneapolis Housing Plan a Success—Not for the Reason You Think
Housing advocates praise the city’s move to eliminate single-family zoning by legalizing triplexes on single-family lots, but that isn’t why housing construction is growing.
New White House Housing Initiative Includes Zoning Reform Incentives
The Biden administration this morning released a new program of actions intended to spur housing construction around the United States.
Proposed Transit Line Would Connect Downtown Tucson to Airport
Based on community input for a 15-mile transit line, residents want to see a focus on affordable housing development and anti-displacement measures.
Strip Malls as a Housing Solution
The American strip mall may be a dying breed of commercial development, but could the buildings serve a new use as sustainable housing?
Study: Most of Vancouver Is a ‘15-Minute City’
A large majority of Vancouver residents can access a grocery store in 15 minutes or less by bicycle or on foot.
Urban Planning Partners
Sandy City
Ada County Highway District
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Redwood City
City of Rohnert Park
City of Hot Springs
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.
