JOHNSON CITY — The complete transformation of the former Oakdale Mall is well under way. What was once a local retail and activity centerpiece before it began to decline is being converted into a mixed-use entertainment, retail, and lifestyle hub, now called Oakdale Commons. Spark JC, LLC acquired the mall in January 2022, says co-founder […]
JOHNSON CITY — The complete transformation of the former Oakdale Mall is well under way.
What was once a local retail and activity centerpiece before it began to decline is being converted into a mixed-use entertainment, retail, and lifestyle hub, now called Oakdale Commons.
Spark JC, LLC acquired the mall in January 2022, says co-founder Douglas Matthews. For him, the project follows on the heels of the redevelopment of a separate parcel at the north end of the mall property he purchased through Spark Broome in 2019. That parcel, once home to a Sears store, now houses Factory by Beer Tree, some Broome County offices, and a Lourdes Hospital wellness center and fitness facility.
“That was really sort of the catalyst of us looking with the Newman family” to buy the mall property, Matthews says. Now Spark JC is well into the redevelopment of the property. Matthews and his partner Marc Newman actively sought out tenants for the 70-acre property to add to the existing mall tenants.
Dick’s House of Sport will open a 140,000-square-foot facility in the former Macy’s anchor location. It will include an outdoor field, climbing wall, golf simulator, and more. Other new arrivals include Panera Bread and Chipotle restaurants along with a bank, Matthews says.
“We’re well on our way with BJ’s [Wholesale Club] putting in 100,000 square feet with a gas station,” he adds.
Historically, the mall was all retail, but Spark JC’s goal is to replicate the success of the former Sears site with mixed-use tenants to create jobs and deliver innovative wellness services and leisure activities, along with retail, to the community.
“Who knows, we may even add a living component at some point,” Matthews says.
Located at the crossroads of New York State Route 17 and Interstate 81 at 601-635 Harry L Drive, Oakdale Commons has a ready audience with Binghamton University only about a mile away.
Matthews’ goal is to make the Commons a destination, not just a place locals go to shop. “It’s really going to be a regional draw, not just local,” he notes. Oakdale Commons is located across the street from a busy Wegman’s grocery store that draws people from as far as 50 miles away, he says, so it’s not inconceivable that people will make the area a frequent day destination.
Including the Sears parcel redevelopment, the entire project will cost somewhere between $130 million and $150 million. Spark JC is working with Tompkins Community Bank for construction financing and also has a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement with the Broome County Industrial Development Agency. The project will also benefit from American Rescue Plan Act funding from Broome County and the Town of Union for infrastructure.
Matthews hopes the project will wrap up by 2025. While it’s hard to predict how many jobs tenants will create, he did note there are close to 500 people employed at the businesses on the former Sears site, now called the Lourdes Pavilion, which is visited daily by anywhere from 5,000 to 7,000 people.
“What really makes it so enjoyable is seeing how excited the community is,” Matthews says.
