ARLINGTON, Texas — Arlington city council members will decide this month whether to approve plans for redeveloping Lincoln Square, a shopping center that's struggled to keep its storefronts occupied.
Owner Trademark Property has proposed renaming the area "Anthem," and demolishing several buildings on the 45-acre lot to make room for a hotel, housing, restaurants, retail, and offices. City planners have also instructed the developer to leave room for a high-end grocery store, like Trader Joe's.
Arlington officials consider the property a "gateway" to the booming entertainment district and downtown. It abuts Interstate 30 frontage road at Collins Street.
"It's important that when people arrive at that gateway they look and go, 'Wow, I've arrived in Arlington,'" Mayor Jim Ross told WFAA Monday. "It's an old facility and it's not awe-inspiring right now, but it sure will be."
Tenants have long criticized the property's aging amenities and appearance. About half of the mall's storefronts are vacant.
"We still have our regulars that we appreciate, but it does hurt us to not have tenants," The Popcorn Store owner Shirley Flores told WFAA. "It makes it look like there isn't anyone here."
The Popcorn Shop, which opened about 40 years ago, is likely Lincoln Square's oldest remaining tenant. Flores bought the store from its original owners six years ago.
"It's a great area," she said. "I think people have just wanted to have a nicer, newer, more up-to-date development."
Though Flores says redeveloping the property will be good for the city of Arlington, she's frustrated The Popcorn Shop will be among the stores demolished in the process.
"We hate not being able to tell our customers what's going to happen and when it's going to happen," she said.
She said she hopes to relocate nearby, perhaps across the street, to capitalize on the area's growth.
The existing Studio Movie Grill will be upgraded and anchor the redeveloped property. BoomerJack's, Olive Garden, and Raising Cane's will remain, as well.
The proposed hotel would include a full bar and up to 200 beds.
Adding multi-family housing to the development is part of Arlington's larger plan to funnel customers to the entertainment district. In February, the council approved a separate proposal to build more apartments on Ballpark Way.
"The density is critically important to help feed the restaurants, retail, and office space that's there," Ross said.
Ross added he hopes construction on Anthem will begin in the first quarter of 2025.
Trademark Property is responsible for developments at Westbend, Waterside, and Left Bank in Fort Worth, as well as leasing at Galleria Dallas.