We is the residents of Springfield.

Thai Peppers and the other 2 adjacent buildings would be great to tear down and build new mixed use on. I totally agree. The reason that hasn't happened is because the owners presumably want more than it's worth, and developers can't make the proforma work.

But your argument is essentially ONLY currently zoned commercial lots can be commercial lots OR we can make Springfield even more carcentric by developing outside of populated areas. So now the farmers out there and all the people who want quiet lives are pissed off. Get how literally someone is going to be pissed off and complain no matter where developers build a building?

Developers look for opportunities. If Sears was for sale, and Simon wanted to sell it at a decent price it would be redeveloped SO quickly.

Lastly the homes were demolished, a private owner has the right to tear down anything they want in Springfield, unless it has special protected status which is voluntary and rare. Even if it is protected locally, then it only stops the owner from demo for 60 days.