Impact Church announced early today it completed its acquisition of the former Belk store space at Regency Square Mall in Arlington.
A news release said the purchase by the Arlington-based ministry is one of the largest local community investments in that area within the decade.
The deed has not been recorded with the Duval County Clerk of Courts. No purchase price was announced.
“We are so excited to not only grow in a new facility, but to also be a part of the renaissance of a mall that is near and dear to all our hearts,” said Bishop George Davis, senior pastor.
The church said the almost 200,000-square-foot space will become The Impact Center to function as the international headquarters for the church.
It expects to complete Phase 1 of the new auditorium with plans to move in as early as the third quarter of 2017.
Impact Church said it wants to make the area a community asset.
It will work with Regency Square ownership to provide a walkway between the West and East malls, which Belk had done.
The West Mall is being redeveloped by International Décor Outlet with home-improvement retailers. The East Mall is a retail corridor anchored by JCPenney.
Regency Square, at 9501 Arlington Expressway, is the area’s oldest regional shopping center. Belk closed its store there in February 2015 and opened in a new center east along Atlantic Boulevard.
Impact Church, now at 8985 Lone Star Road, said building plans will provide amenities for its members and the Arlington community that include:
• A 2,500-seat performing arts center that will expand to 4,000 seats by 2020.
• Open gathering areas
• Several restaurants, stores and business offices
• Indoor community and athletic space, along with neighborhood athletics, mentoring, tutoring, and crisis intervention
• A Christian bookstore and café
• A fellowship and entertainment venue with game rooms, pool tables, a movie screen, concession area and lounge area that will be designed to specifically reach 18-29-year-olds but suitable for all ages
• Children’s facilities
• Areas designated for junior and senior high students
• The administrative headquarters of George Davis Ministries and Impact Ministries
• Broadcast and production facilities for media production and distribution
Impact Church said in February it would expand to the mall to benefit the church and the Arlington community at large.
The news release, dated Wednesday, said the announcement was the next step.
“Our church and community leaders know the impact of this move means commercial growth and revitalization for the local businesses and the community it serves,” Davis said.
He said the church believes its expansion into the former Belk property will be positive for Arlington and the mall.
The church said more information is at icjax.com.
Impact Church, which is nondenominational, said it was founded in August 1996 in Jacksonville by Bishop Keith A. Butler. Senior pastors are George and April Davis.
Its motto is “More than a Church, it’s a Family.”
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