TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – Toledo shopping centers are getting some new life without adding shopping.

The first expansion at one location is now underway and it could be a model for more to come.

Traditional brick-and-mortar stores have taken a hit in the last decade or so. Meaning sometimes empty parking lots. It has some in the city asking if that can be replaced with housing.

It might soon be inaccurate to call it the Southland Shopping Center on Glendale at Byrne Road in Toledo. That’s because “The Glen” will soon add a 50-unit affordable housing complex there.

“Housing is going to be just another facet of what we are trying to do with Southland and the revitalization of it,” said Jennifer Dunsmore, property manager for the Southland shopping center.

As Southland gets its boost, there are plenty of other shopping centers that could use one as well. Replicating this might be in the works.

“The strategic look at ‘Well can we get housing on this site,’ is something that’s a first for the city of Toledo,” said Rosalyn Clemens, city of Toledo director of housing and community development.

Clemens said this project could be a model. Toledo has a huge need for housing, both affordable housing and market rate. In a lot of cases, traditional shopping centers have space these days. The match makes sense.

“We hope that this is going to be a model for huge shopping centers that are not used and for the tenants that are still here you’re adding 50 new families,” said Clemens. “This is what we call a lifeline revitalization.”

“It is important to have a different dynamic of the development in order to promote continued growth within the shopping center itself,” said Dunsmore.

What could another project look like in the future is not known but a blueprint now exists.

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