Sign this petition to save Desoto Square Mall from demolition!

DeSoto Square Mall is a stranger to nobody in Bradenton. Almost everyone living in the area has a fond memory of the mall, whether it was the site of your first job or your favorite hangout spot. Poor management of the site caused its decline and eventual closure, but that should not be the end of its story.

Above all else, DeSoto Square was a community center. A place to connect with others in Manatee County—somewhere that represented us as a whole. A mall is to its community what a castle is to its kingdom, and DeSoto Square was the pillar of our city. Current redevelopment plans slate the mall for demolition, which is not what we want. That central location on 303 301 Boulevard West, surrounded by places to gather and play, was tied together perfectly by the presence of the mall. Should luxury apartments be the thing that defines us?

Although the current plans for apartments are not a completely bad thing, there are still ways the complex and the mall can coexist. We urge CRJ Bradenton, LLC and Madison Capital Group to reconsider the scope of the project for the benefit of the community. We urge for some portions of the mall to be saved as the site is an integral part to Bradenton's history and community. It doesn’t even have to be reopened as a mall—there are other ways to repurpose the building so it can be saved and still serve our community. There are even ways it can still be used for profit, such as through space rentals for events like graduations or countywide gatherings. It would also be cheaper to do this rather than demolishing the entire building and creating something new! We also urge for more transparency on the project as it greatly affects our community.

Signing this petition lets the property’s current owners understand our discontent with their current plans. Please act now!