Would You Adopt a Shopping Center?

We’ve all heard of adopting pets and even miles of highway as a way to improve the community, but what about adopting a shopping center?

right here on Smyrna-Vinings Patch. One reader suggested the following:

“You know how communities adopt highways? Why not adopt shopping malls/business communities and work with the property owners and shopping mall businesses to provide volunteer help where it is needed (i.e. clearnup surrounding areas, repaint parking spot lines, landscaping)? Would the city/business help fund and provide resources for this effort?”

Soon other readers chimed in to discuss the feasibility of adopting a shopping center. Smyrna Heights Citizen said he liked the idea, but was concerned about the legal ramifications of such a project.

“As for adopting shopping centers, love the concept and it has possibilities but it also has significant challenges,” he said. “There are many potential legal issues, private property issues, etc. that are not the same with public right of way or road clean up. 

"Commercial property insurers would probably frown on allowing this sort of thing, not to mention property managers and building owners who would be afraid to get sued if anyone got hurt.”

So Smyrna-Vinings Patch wants to know, do you support adopting some of Smyrna’s shopping centers? Who do you think should coordinate the effort? What steps do you think should be made to make sure volunteers and business owners are protected? Tell us in the comments.