Mount Pleasant Towne Centre, a well-known shopping area, might soon see some big changes. Town planning officials recently discussed a new master plan for 2025 that could bring a hotel, new office buildings, entertainment spaces, housing, and more greenery to the area. The goal is to keep the centre lively, attractive, and less affected by empty shops.
What’s in the 2025 Master Plan?
The 2025 master plan aims to turn the shopping centre into a modern, multi-use space. Developers want to add a hotel, office spaces, houses or apartments, entertainment zones, and green areas for public use. This plan is designed to make Towne Centre more than just a shopping destination—it could become a full lifestyle hub.
John Darby, CEO of The Beach Company (an investor in Towne Centre), said they want to plan for the future to avoid store closures. He pointed out that some stores, like Bed Bath & Beyond, have been empty for over a year, and it gets harder to fill those spaces the longer they remain vacant.
Why Is There Some Pushback?
While the developers are pushing for change, not everyone is happy. Some of the big tenants in the centre, especially Belk, are not pleased with how the plan was handled.
Janet Smith from Belk said that they were not even informed about the new master plan and feel left out. She clarified that Belk is financially stable, not closing, and has lease agreements that let them stay until 2043 and even 2053 for different sections of their store.
Belk’s Concerns
Belk has been part of Towne Centre for 27 years and sees itself as a major part of the community. Rob Nickel, Belk’s regional vice president, said they contribute a lot in taxes and revenue to both the city and the centre. He also mentioned that traditions like the annual tree lighting happen in front of their store, proving how central they are to Towne Centre’s identity.
Belk is concerned that changes to the space might affect their operations, especially if done without proper discussions.
What’s Next?
John Darby warned that if changes don’t happen, Towne Centre could end up like other outdated malls, such as Citadel Mall or Towne Square Centre, which have struggled in recent years. He stressed the importance of adapting to keep the centre successful and useful for future generations.
So far, no final decision has been made. Town council members did not take any action in their recent meeting. The plan could be voted on in the full council meeting on August 12. If not, it may return to the planning commission next month for further discussion.
Mount Pleasant Towne Centre is at a turning point. While developers want to upgrade and modernise the area to avoid decline, major tenants like Belk are concerned about the lack of communication and the future impact of the changes. The final decision is still pending, but the future of this popular shopping area depends on finding the right balance between growth and tradition.
