After six years of pursuit, Backwater Development has acquired Regency Square Mall in Jacksonville's Arlington area, a transaction hailed by City Council member Ken Amaro as a pivotal moment for local progress. Amaro has been a vocal critic of the mall's decline and in a recent statement provided to First Coast News, the councilman described the site as "the bane of community complaints."
Last year, Backwater Development communicated their intention to transform the property, suggesting a combination of housing, retail, and entertainment spaces could supplant the mall. Known for issues like malfunctioning AC units—a problem Amaro claims was addressed with "utmost firmness and efficiency"—the mall's sale to the persistent real estate company was seen by the representative of the area as "well overdue." In conversations surrounding the mall's deterioration, including mold issues and a leaky roof, the voice of the community has been persistent and clear, Amaro said, evidenced by the complaints he received, as Action News Jax reported.
The sale signifies an investment in the broader Jacksonville community, according to Amaro, who envisions a future where residents can experience a thriving, interconnected environment. "This property represents more than just land — it is an investment in our collective future not only for the Arlington area, but Jacksonville as a whole," Amaro told First Coast News. His hopes for the development include the creation of opportunities for new businesses and housing that cater to the community's needs.
As the mall faced nearly $1.8 million in fines for code violations due to its decaying infrastructure, the transaction comes as a relief to local residents like Vogue Turner, who has longed for a change. Describing the mall as an "eyesore," Turner is optimistic about the positive impact the redevelopment could have on the neighborhood, a sentiment captured by an interview with News4Jax. In this light, Amaro's celebration of the sale as a transformative moment for the community is echoed not just in his offices but across the streets surrounding the formerly bustling center.
While Backwater Development has yet to officially reveal their precise plans for the property's redevelopment, Councilman Amaro's statement underscores the breath of fresh air this sale represents for Arlington. Looking to Blackwater's past assertions of wanting to revitalize the space with new amenities, the community waits in anticipation for what the future holds.
