By DEBERA CARLTON HARRELL
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

The turning point for Crossroads came in 1986, when San Francisco-based Terranomics took over the floundering shopping center. The center has grown from an economic black hole to a thriving place that residents say has its own identity and soul.

Many say the reinvigorated center has given the entire community a lift.

Ron Sher, managing partner of Terranomics, is credited with innovation, keen business instincts and an insistence on community involvement that reconnected the shopping center with the neighbors it served.

"There's a general consensus that (pre-1988), Crossroads wasn't working," Sher said. "It wasn't making it because Bellevue Square was capturing all the fashion shopping trips. . . . We had to recognize our own strengths, and (we realized) what could work was to be the downtown of east Bellevue, not a Bellevue Square wannabe."

What that meant was drawing more stores needed and enjoyed by local people: a grocery, department and drug stores, a bedding and linen shop, movie complex, bookstores, restaurants, computer stores and service shops ranging from shoe repair to cookware, barber shops to travel agencies.

People head to the center for popular music concerts, an annual "Cultural Crossroads" ethnic culture event and "open mike nights." Even the food court -- somewhat akin to Seattle Center's food circus -- serves food on china plates.

Another emphasis has been to make people feel welcome and safe.

Working with city officials, Sher helped establish the Crossroads Community Center east of the mall. The community center offers arts and recreation classes, youth programs and a variety of family services through links with city and community agencies.

Terranomics also made room for a mini-City Hall, offering information and referrals on city services, including employment information and a Russian interpreter.

Bellevue police followed suit with a Crossroads community police station at the north edge of the shopping center. Its retro design and street lights complement remodeled buildings throughout the center.

Continued:

• Mall has been cornerstone of diverse community's renaissance
• It's made great strides in turning around a troubled image
• Community reaches out and works together