A bold vision for overhauling a dilapidated mall divides Richmond

"The dilapidated Hilltop Mall on Richmond's northside is poised for a major makeover but city leadership, staff, nearby residents and the property owner are still divided on what exactly it should be. A draft of the Hilltop Horizon Specific Plan, a regulatory planning document meant to guide the development of 143 acres of Richmond land, was presented to the City Council Tuesday and drew support from community members who want the city to dream boldly, and pushback from others who think its vision is unrealistic."

"The draft calls for breaking down the site into four zones with medium-density housing on the edges, increasing to higher-density housing and commercial spaces in the center. While staff is currently unwilling to say exactly how many homes would be built under the plan, Community Development Director Lina Velasco said the city has long envisioned the site as a major hub for new housing and business development."

"We understand that this is an ambitious plan and will not fully be supported in today's market, but market conditions are changing and always change, Velasco said during Tuesday's meeting. But Prologis, owner of the Hilltop Mall site since 2021, has withheld support from the staff proposal, instead favoring a plan that allows for lower-density housing to be built. Janet Galvez, an investment officer with Proligis, said her research indicates the city has not supported high-density development."

City staff proposes dividing the 143-acre Hilltop Mall site into four zones, with medium-density housing at the edges and higher-density housing and commercial spaces in the center. The city envisions the site as a major hub for new housing and business, while acknowledging the plan is ambitious and market-dependent. Prologis, owner since 2021, opposes the higher-density approach and prefers lower-density housing; the company plans to submit a development application by November and requests its vision be incorporated. Community reactions range from bold support to concerns about realism, and council deliberations include calls to slow the process.

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