iStockphotoIn some parts of America, the giant malls that once served as community anchors are disa...

1. 10 new uses for abandoned malls - Page 5
iStockphoto
In some parts of America, the giant malls that once served as community anchors are disappearing.
People aren't visiting malls like they used to. Blame the economic downturn and a broad shift to
shopping online. Blame a new breed of busy shopper who simply doesn't have the time or energy to
browse across an enormous mall.
Shopping centers, and neighborhood strip malls in particular, have closed down as consumers
drifted elsewhere, leaving city planners and developers with a vexing problem: What to do with all
that empty space?
Some cities are converting former shopping centers into office space, residences, churches and
fitness centers. It's a matter of creativity but also of urgency. No one wants a derelict mall turning
into a community eyesore. It's hard to repackage a massive space like that, but urban planners are
trying.
Here are 10 new uses for abandoned malls.
http://www.cbsnews.com/media/10-new-uses-for-abandoned-malls/5/