Letters to the editor — Sunday (6-8-14)

Published 12:00 am Sunday, June 8, 2014

Another option for mall property
Since we have retail leakage in the county, a retail location like the former Salisbury Mall property could help to reduce it.
Inform RowanWorks Economic Development to contact businesses and developers such as Home Depot, Kotis Properties, Crosland Properties, Target, BJ’s Warehouse, Ashley’s Furniture or Best Buy. Tell them we will be willing to sell the Salisbury Mall property for $1 if you help to develop it into a shopping destination.
Taking the 320,000 square foot mall off of the tax rolls instead of allowing a commercial developer to purchase and redevelop it was irresponsible. Adding to the tax base and providing a significant number of jobs — instead of taking away from the tax base — would have been a better solution. We could reap the rewards of a new shopping destination or other development in Rowan County and add to the property tax rolls.
Years ago, the Rowan Mall and Towne Mall where doing great; then they fell into disrepair. Rowan Mall was purchased and redeveloped into a growing and prosperous new retail development. Towne Mall was redeveloped with help by the city of Salisbury and turned into another retail operation. Both are doing great. Rowan County has the opportunity to do the same with the Salisbury Mall.
I for one would like to see some of the following locate in Rowan County: Target, Victoria’s Secret, Academy Sports, Hobby Town USA, Dillard’s (off season or discount store). We have the Dillard’s Warehouse off of I-85 so I see this as a big draw.
I believe this property is a great retail location. I just think it will take someone willing to listen to what the citizens of Rowan County would like to see in a mall/shopping center environment.
— Mark Lyerly
Salisbury

City, sell Fibrant
City of Salisbury, here is your chance to offer for sale a telecommunications business before bankruptcy has to be declared. If DirecTV deal is approved for Triangle may be a good time to ignite a deal! Think of the profit!
— Jamie Kimmer
Salisbury