ATTENDEES gathered on the first floor of the mall outside a former entrance to the closed Sears store at Westminster Mall at public meeting this summer (Orange County Tribune photo).

An update on the potential remaking of the Westminster Mall goes before the Westminster Planning Commission on Wednesday, Oct. 2.

The panel will receive a special presentation on the proposed specific plan for the regional shopping center located in the area bordered by Bolsa Avenue, Goldenwest Street, Edwards Street and the San Diego (405) Freeway.

Covered in the presentation will be details about design, affordability, a mix of uses including housing, retail, entertainment, traffic circulation and other factors.

The draft land use concept calls for development of up to 1.2 million square feet of retail and office uses, up to 3000 residential units and 425 hotel rooms.

Westminster Mall opened in 1974 and was at one time the largest regional enclosed shopping center in Orange County, anchored by four major department stores.

However, competition from more modern open-air malls and changes in shopping habits have led to a high vacancy rate in the center, and declines in purchasing there by the public have resulted in declines in property taxes paid to the city and other government agencies. In drawing up plans for the mall, the city and consultants held several public meetings to get input from residents and property owners.

The commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers at 8200 Westminster Blvd.