Malls that have been closed for much of the pandemic are using their spacious parking lots to host movies, magic shows and other entertainment aimed at raising some revenue. Dancers from "RuPaul's Drag Race" drew drivers to the parking lot of a mall in Paramus, N.J., and a drive-in wrestling match is attracting crowds in upstate New York.

Raleigh, N.C.-based Green Sea Partners is seeking the rezoning of an area for development near the Alexander Place retail center to put up to 81 new townhouses in Brier Creek area. The shopping center is also planning the third phase of expansion with 46,000 additional square feet of space to be developed.

Washington Prime Group, which acquired Pearlridge Center in Aiea, Hawaii, in 2015, has worked to renovate and rebrand the space to update physical features and connect more closely with the local community. "It's a renovation but it's actually a restoration of the soul of our community," says indigenous cultural expert Kehaulani Lum. The Pearlridge team has sought to aid locals during the pandemic, including by preparing and donating meals.

Differing city and state requirements have stalled Simon Property Group's plans to reopen some malls around the country. The mall owner has provided hand sanitizer and face masks to shoppers at open properties and plans to open malls in Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin after May 16.

A 14-acre site in Aiea, Hawaii, that once was home to a drive-in movie could become a mixed-use community in the next few years. A proposal by Robertson Properties Group envisions five residential high-rise buildings and spaces devoted to retail and dining at a cost of $766 million. "We finished the EIS, and we still have the zone change to go," said John Manavian, executive vice president of Robertson.