Destiny USA asks state to reconsider decision keeping malls shut in phase 2

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Destiny USA’s owner says it hopes New York State will reconsider its “surprising” decision to not allow enclosed shopping centers to open alongside other retailers in phase two of the state’s regional reopening from the coronavirus shutdown, which began last Friday.

“Thousands of jobs, businesses, livelihoods and regional economies are depending on it. We are ready to open with the health and well-being of our guests, retailers and their employees a top priority,” Pyramid Management Group, which operates Destiny USA, said in a Tuesday statement.

Pyramid Management Group said its statement is in response to questions and comments from the media, tenants, customers, and employees looking to return to work.

The Destiny USA owner went to say that over the last several weeks, it has worked with hundreds of businesses to ensure a “safe and responsible” reopening “consistent” with the phasing plan that New York State released.

“Our collective investment of time and money into safely and responsibly re-opening our centers was considerable. What’s more, our retailers and their employees were anticipating the scheduled phase two re-opening on Friday [May 29] as a way to get back to work and begin supporting their families and our local economies. Re-opening is key to the survival of these retailers, many of which are locally owned and are now in grave danger of never being able to open their doors,” the Pyramid statement read.

Pyramid also believes that the “very large open spaces” inside its mall “easily facilitates” social distancing and will “lessen the density” in stand-alone stores that are allowed to reopen in phase two.

Additionally, Pyramid noted that not all of Destiny USA’s tenants are reopening in the second phase. Restaurants and entertainment venues, which comprise a “good portion” of its facilities, will remain closed until subsequent phases.

“By design, this will further lessen the density of guests in our centers,” Pyramid said.

Pyramid also contends that its “extensive” safety protocols put into place over the past two months “meet or exceed” state, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and national health guidelines.

“And our tenants and their employees are anxious to get back to work,” Pyramid added.

As part of reopening phase one, some Destiny USA tenants have been providing curbside pickup for customers at specific entrances for more than two weeks.