WestShore Plaza ownership closes all of its malls, offers its real estate to government agencies to use for testing sites and supply distribution centers
By Tristan Navera
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Mar 23, 2020

The ownership of WestShore Plaza has opted to close all of its indoor malls but is making them available for special missions during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ohio-based Washington Prime Group said Monday that it is closing 44 of its malls with large indoor areas temporarily until at least March 29. Tenants with their own exterior entrances, especially restaurants, are able to remain open, subject to local and state restrictions.

WestShore Plaza and International Plaza, a Taubman Centers property that's also in the city's Westshore business district, were among the last enclosed shopping malls to close down. International Plaza closed quietly on Friday.

At the same time, the company is offering all of its mall spaces as "distribution centers for emergency medical supplies, outdoor designated areas to perform COVID-19 testing, food depository stations and other complementary services that may be required by communities in need," according to a news release.

In Tampa, Washington Prime occupies some of the best possible real estate for that sort of operation. It is centrally located, at the intersection of Kennedy and Westshore boulevards, and easily accessible via Interstate 275.

The mall owner has already partnered with several state agencies to store medical supplies, and with several school districts to serve as distribution points for meals, according to the release. The company is looking at hosting blood drives, donation drop-off points, and serving meals for first responders, too.

"We are all dealing with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on a real time basis and it is imperative corporate America diligently work with their public counterparts to quell this crisis," CEO Lou Conforti said in the release.

This only impacts the malls that are completely enclosed.

Columbus-based Washington Prime (NASDAQ: WPG) had been in a tough spot as it sought to stay open principally citing support of many of its small business tenants. But most of the major retail chains and anchors — Macy's, L Brands, Abercrombie & Fitch, Apple, Lululemon and Dicks Sporting Goods among them — have already opted to close stores for the time being in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19.