Commercial landscapes in the foreclosure economy

As the economy slows, the impact on commercial landscapes is becoming an issue of concern, reports the NY Times. In some cases, it is simply that there will be less new commercial development - Home Depot has decided to open 75 stores instead of 150. But some big chains like Fortunoff and Bombay have already files bankruptcy and the Times suggests that some stores, like Linens ’n Things, are scrambling to survive. They describe Foot Locker, Zanes, and Ann Taylor as each planning to close at least 100 stores.

For me, I wonder what this will mean for many of the strip malls in our area. Ten years ago Routes 1 and 18 each had a few highly underused strip malls that really made those neighborhoods look pretty awful. Today the area seems dramatically improved, but would we feel that way for long if the landscape was littered with some abandoned shopping centers? Interboro Partners has already shared some great ideas for looking at new uses for dead malls. But their designs are of little comfort to me as I try to reimagine Route 1.