KENNER, La. — There were a lot of empty parking spaces at the Esplanade Mall in Kenner Friday.
Many of the shops there, including anchor tenants like Mervyns, Macy's and Dillards Men's Store have closed.
The mall is also on it's third owner in five years.
"The mall for some reason just seems to have a consistent issues with attracting stores," Kenner Mayor Ben Zahn said.
Zahn is looking for ways to help the struggling retail center.
One idea is to consolidate Kenner city offices and about 400 employees, now in 15 buildings, under one roof in the old Macy's building.
The mayor and the District City Councilmember George Branigan are putting together a proposal to bring to the Kenner City Council.
"Wherever you put that many people, them going in or out of any door, everyday creates more businesses, groceries, creates need for businesses, restaurants around that centralized location," Zahn said.
Al Copeland, Jr. owns and operates the Copeland's restaurant across the street from the mall.
He said having city hall as a neighbor would be good for Esplanade and surrounding businesses.
"Macy's closing has really hurt our business in the a.m.," Copeland said. "More than anything because we lose the shoppers. I think having city hall being there would really be beneficial to us.
Calls and emails to the mall management and owner Mike Kohan, from the Kohan Retail Investment Group for comment were not returned.
But in previous interviews Kohan talked about thinking outside the box.
Last September, he told the New Orleans Advocate, "Retail is diminishing in one way or the other. what are the other choices you have? you can't just sit and wait for the retail to show up."
Zahn said having city hall at the mall fits into the modern concept of city centers where people live, work and play.
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"Nobody's beating down the door to go to the Macy's building at Esplanade Mall right now," Zahn said. "They are actually leaving. So, maybe it's something we can look at."
There are some signs of new investment here.
The mayor referenced a new skating rink inside the mall and said a local church bought the old movie theater.