Regency Square Mall sold to real estate company in pursuit of mall for 6 years, council member says
Regency Square Mall in Jacksonville’s Arlington area now has a new owner — a real estate company that has pursued the property for six years, Jacksonville City Council member Ken Amaro told First Coast News on Thursday.
The new owner, Backwater Development, hinted at potential plans for the property last year, expressing their desire to demolish part of the mall to make way for housing, retail and entertainment space.
In a statement Thursday, Amaro said the mall has recently been "the bane of community complaints."
The councilman said one complaint was about malfunctioning AC units in the mall, something he said last summer his office handled with the "utmost firmness and efficiency." Amaro said due to this, it was evident to him that the sale of the mall was "well overdue."
"The recent acquisition of the legendary Regency Square Mall marks an exciting milestone for our community's growth and transformation," Amaro said in the statement.
"This property represents more than just land — it is an investment in our collective future not only for the Arlington area, but Jacksonville as a whole."
As the council member for the area, Amaro said he aspires for Blackwater Development to "cultivate a prosperous and connected community where residents can live, work, and play for generations to come." He added that he hopes it is the new owner's vision to create opportunities for new businesses, housing and shared spaces that "reflect the needs and aspirations of everyone in the area."
