Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House

If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.

1 minute read

April 18, 2024, 7:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Large blank mall building with only two cars in large parking lot.

clsdesign / Adobe Stock

The mall conversion trend is picking up steam around the country. Now, reports Stacy Wescoe in Central Penn Business Journal, a bill making its way through the Pennsylvania state legislature “would authorize cities, boroughs, incorporated towns and townships to provide developers special tax incentives for redeveloping languishing shopping malls.”

The bill, which heads to the state Senate, was introduced as a way to revitalize underutilized commercial space that seems increasingly unlikely to bounce back as consumer preferences and land use patterns change.

According to Wescoe, “The legislation would create a committee that would provide guidance for the redevelopment of shopping malls. This board would be composed of members with expertise in areas such as real estate development, municipal planning, economic development and land use planning.”

Tuesday, April 16, 2024 in Central Penn Business Journal

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Concrete Brutalism building with slanted walls and light visible through an atrium.

What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities

How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.

February 28, 2025 - Justin Hollander

Complete Street

‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge

Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.

February 27, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Downtown Los Angeles skyline at sunset with new 6th Street Viaduct arches in foreground.

Downtown Los Angeles on the Rise: A Promising 2025

Fueled by new developments, cultural investments, and a growing dining scene, downtown Los Angeles is poised for significant growth in 2025, despite challenges from recent wildfires and economic uncertainties.

February 21, 2025 - Los Angeles Downtown News

People walking on San Francisco street with 'Slow Streets' signs.

San Francisco Slow Streets Bucks Citywide Trend, Reducing Injuries by 61 Percent

Low-cost interventions aimed at slowing traffic are making a major impact on road safety.

6 hours ago - KQED

Two pastel green/blue front doors on duplex with decorative wreaths.

How Single-Family Conversions Benefit Both Homeowners and Cities

Converting single-family homes to triplexes can ease the housing crisis and offer affordable, flexible options for more households. Why is it largely illegal?

7 hours ago - Strong Towns

Electric Cars

Report: Transportation Equity Requires More Than Electrification

Lower-income households often lack the resources to buy electric cars, signaling a need for a more holistic approach to improving mobility and lowering transportation costs.

March 4 - Smart Cities Dive

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.