One Elk Grove Strip Center Shows Improvement, But City Needs to Proceed Cautiously

Recently EGN profiled one of the city's numerous strip centers and its turn-over of tenants following the onset of the Great Reces...


Recently EGN profiled one of the city's numerous strip centers and its turn-over of tenants following the onset of the Great Recession. That strip center, Bond Plaza, currently has about a 50 percent vacancy rate.

August 14, 2013 |

While the Bond Plaza has had all of its space occupied at one time or another, through the years we have also kept an eye on another strip center located on Elk Grove's far west side. That strip center, The Harbour Point on Harbour Point Drive opened for occupancy in October, 2007 offering 19,000 square feet of retail space.

Since that time, this strip center has never seen occupancy approach 50 percent until recently. Now things are looking up for this strip center compared to one year ago when the entire strip center was unoccupied.

The entire south structure of the two building complex was recently occupied by Premier Fitness and about one-quarter of the north structure is being built-out for a dental office. 

Although the increased occupancy is encouraging, it should be noted that the Gym is only the second occupant for the south building (a church occupied a portion of the building for a short time) while over 75 percent of the north building has never been occupied. 

While the increased occupancy for this center is welcome news for the stability of our neighborhoods, there are still plenty of empty retail and commercial space (see partial list of commercial space here) throughout the city, particularly in older, less visible neighborhoods such as the original Bel Air store on Elk Grove Blvd. where blight could be an attractive area for criminal activity.  

As the Elk Grove City Council maps out possible expansion, it should take into account not only the changing world we live in, they need to consider what effect would adding more strip centers have on existing strip centers and their surrounding neighborhoods.

If they don't, before you know it, we will be known for a city of fast food joints, nail salons and liquor stores. The only thing missing will be the tattoo parlors. 

 

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