”
Hello Red Phone, I have a question. What will happen to Cochrane
Plaza and Cochrane Commons now that the economy is really bad? Is
Cochrane Plaza going to stay empty for a long time? And what about
Phase II of Cochrane Commons? Are they going to build more stuff
there or are they going to wait until the economy gets better?
Hmm
… having said that now I’m starting to think that building
Cochrane Commons wasn’t such a good idea after all. Target would
still be over at Cochrane Plaza and Ross wouldn’t have left Morgan
Hill. The only loss would have been Mervyn’s. OK, thanks.
”
“Hello Red Phone, I have a question. What will happen to Cochrane Plaza and Cochrane Commons now that the economy is really bad? Is Cochrane Plaza going to stay empty for a long time? And what about Phase II of Cochrane Commons? Are they going to build more stuff there or are they going to wait until the economy gets better? Hmm … having said that now I’m starting to think that building Cochrane Commons wasn’t such a good idea after all. Target would still be over at Cochrane Plaza and Ross wouldn’t have left Morgan Hill. The only loss would have been Mervyn’s. OK, thanks.”
Dear Wondering, Red Phone contacted Garrett Toy, director of Business Assistance and Housing Services, who said the economy changed many plans.
“No one has a crystal ball as to when the economy will recover or what retailers will do in 2009,” he said. “However, we do know that Wal-Mart is still planning to open in Cochrane Plaza. With regard to Ross, our understanding is that Ross will replace dd’s Discounts.”
When Wal-Mart opens that will give Cochrane Plaza a much needed boost, he added.
“It should also be noted that Target threatened to leave Morgan Hill if it was not allowed to move to Cochrane Commons because its store in Cochrane Plaza was too small and not meeting the needs of Target.”
As far as Cochrane Commons, the developer is continuing to try to find a major anchor tenant for Phase II.
“In general, many retailers are waiting to see how 2009 goes before committing to any new store locations,” Toy said. “The only new tenant coming into the center is Dickey’s BBQ restaurant which will be located next to the Men’s Wearhouse.”
Hope that helps.
Time to take down decorations
“Just was wondering why downtown still hasn’t taken down the Christmas decorations? There are still snowflake lights and garland around light posts.”
and …
“Why is it taking so long to take down all the Christmas decorations in downtown! Come on! It’s almost Valentines Day!”
Dear Is It Christmas Again, Red Phone contacted Jorge Briones, executive director of the Morgan Hill Downtown Association. He said the snowflakes and garland are scheduled to be removed this weekend and all the other holiday decorations were removed a couple weeks ago.
Good caller, hope that eases your mind. Let’s encourage everyone who puts up decorations to promptly remove them. It’s bad enough we have to start seeing them in October. Do we really want to see them in February as well?
