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3 Proposed Comprehensive Plan Text Change • Originally constructed in 1961 Apache Plaza was one of the first enclosed malls in the g Y � P Twin Cities, and was the primary regional mall for the northern suburbs until construction of the Rosedale Mall in 1972. Rosedale's greater size, superior highway access, and tenant mix adversely affected the economic viability of Apache Plaza, which declined to the status of a large community shopping center and lost several major tenants. In 1984, Apache Plaza was struck by a tornado which caused substantial damage. Substantial renovation followed, resulting in new tenants such as Herberger's. However, additional tenants vacated in 1989 in favor of new retail developments in the Rosedale area, resulting in a continuing high vacancy rate. Apache Plaza is currently proposed for redevelopment. Ground-breaking took place in August, 1996, for a new 75,000 square foot Cub Foods supermarket on the north side of the center. However, most of the remainder of Apache Plaza stands vacant under its current Retail guide plan designation. A proposal has been brought to the City to convert the former mall to high-tech office space. In response to changing market conditions, the City intends to guide the mall under a new land use plan category, Commercial Mixed Use, in order to facilitate redevelopment. The City does not have a land use plan category that allows for mixed office/light industrial uses. In addition to retail uses, Commercial Mixed Use would allow for light industrial, office, warehouse, and residential uses and maintain the maximum amount of • flexibility that an outmoded site such as Apache Plaza requires for redevelopment. Such a guide plan designation achieves some of the Metropolitan Council's Livable Communities goals, reflects the changes technology is quickly making upon land use and responds to current and future market conditions. The City continues to support redevelopment surrounding Apache Plaza. For example, the City recently relocated the municipal liquor store on the site to an adjacent parcel fronting Silver Lake Road.