For years, residents of Arden Arcade have watched Country Club Plaza continue to decline while promises of redevelopment repeatedly failed to materialize. One of the biggest questions surrounding the property has been the future of the former Macy's building. The old Macy's building is at the heart of our community and it has significant historic value. On August 27th the Arden Arcade CPAC will be considering a proposal to essentially ruin the site going forward. If that matters to you, please attend the CPAC meeting on August 27th (see flyer below) and be prepared to attend the as-yet unscheduled Planning Commission meeting about the proposal.

When news circulated that the Macy's property had been "sold," many residents believed a new owner would finally bring fresh investment and accountability to one of the area's most important commercial properties. Instead, public records indicate that the property was transferred through another LLC while Intelli LLC continues to own Country Club Plaza. To many residents, that looked less like a true sale and more like a corporate restructuring that created the appearance of new ownership without meaningful change. Publicly available records show Intelli LLC purchased Country Club Plaza in 2022 for approximately $26.5 million. Whether the transfer was legally a sale or simply a reorganization of ownership interests, the community deserves complete transparency about who is ultimately responsible for the property. Was this a shell game or a real sale? 

That responsibility matters because Country Club Plaza has developed a reputation for deteriorating conditions. Intelli LLC has been named in multiple lawsuits alleging serious building defects and failures to maintain commercial space. In one lawsuit, a tenant alleges that Intelli LLC failed to disclose extensive roof leaks, asbestos contamination, mold, and other hazardous conditions after the tenant had invested more than $1 million into improvements. Those allegations remain before the courts, and Intelli LLC has the opportunity to respond to them.

Regardless of the outcome of those cases, many residents have witnessed the visible decline of Country Club Plaza firsthand. Empty storefronts, deferred maintenance, and years of unrealized redevelopment plans have transformed what was once a thriving shopping center into a symbol of neglect.

Now, the owner is seeking to redevelop the former Macy's building with a large self-storage facility. While that may be a legally permissible use of the property if approved, many residents believe it is a missed opportunity for one of the most visible commercial sites in Arden Arcade. Community members have expressed a preference for redevelopment that would create jobs, attract visitors, expand shopping and dining options, and encourage long-term economic growth rather than a use that generates relatively little such activity. The key is that self-storage is NOT allowed unless approved as a CONDITIONAL USE that is consistent with the underlying zoning. Do you think a storage facility is consistent with a major shopping mall at the center of our Metro Area? Yeah, right.

This is not the first redevelopment concept that has generated concern. Previous proposals included residential development that sought to take advantage of California laws intended to encourage "affordable housing". You can't just plunk housing down somewhere without considering the community the housing is supposed to become part of. So the housing plans ultimately did not move forward through the County's approval process. For many residents, that history has reinforced concerns that redevelopment proposals have not aligned with the community's long-term vision for the property.

Many in the community believe the former Macy's site should become something that serves as a catalyst for revitalizing Arden Arcade—a destination that attracts new businesses, creates quality jobs, increases local investment, and restores pride in one of the area's historic commercial centers. They argue that a major mixed-use development, entertainment venue, restaurant district, office space, or other active commercial use would provide far greater economic and community benefits than another storage facility.

This is why transparency matters. When the public is told that a landmark property has been "sold," people naturally expect a new owner with a new vision. If control of the property remains with substantially the same ownership through a different LLC, the public deserves to know that. Corporate entities serve legitimate business purposes, but they should not make it difficult for the community to identify who is accountable for the condition and future of one of Arden Arcade's prominent commercial centers.

Many residents also question whether the out-of-town owner has demonstrated a commitment to the long-term success of Arden Arcade. They point to years of deferred maintenance, continued vacancies, and redevelopment proposals that they believe fall short of the community's aspirations. In their view, the pattern of decisions has not reflected what is best for Arden Arcade or its residents.

Arden Arcade has waited long enough. The community deserves more than announcements, ownership restructurings, and proposals that many believe do not truly take advantage of the potential of this important site. Residents deserve honest communication, responsible stewardship of major commercial properties, and redevelopment that creates lasting economic opportunity and strengthens the community for generations to come. Please come to the CPAC meeting on August 27th and let your voices be heard.