In some places like Chattanooga, Tennessee, the community, the council and the mall owners have come up with lucrative alternatives that supply multi-use, beauty and quality of life. In fact, the Chattanooga plan almost doubled the mall's value and took occupancy from 25 percent to 90 percent within nine months. The three council members didn't think that these would be suitable neighbors either. Such conditions on other sites have doubled crime in the area, created noise decibel readings which exceed city code by 25 percent and are virtually unenforceable, increased residential insurance rates, and made traffic for the entire area unbearable. The second roadblock is the zoning.
Some people say that the mall is commercially zoned and therefore anything commercial can go there.
These sites would also contain existing road infrastructure. Such a site does, in fact, exist, within a mile of the famed El Con controversy, along the same street, but with superior adjoining access roads. Let's reflect on the importance of megastore zoning. Some residents say the solution is not so difficult. Put out an all-points bulletin, they say, for developers and commercial tenants that would meet the quality of life and profit standards, as Chattanooga did.