When South Burdick's retail was challenged by suburban shoping malls it was decided to make S. Burdick the nation's first downtown pedestrian mall. That is, S. Burdick was closed to traffic and was landscaped with trees, sculpture and pools. The Mall had some success and was redecorated in 1974.

In the early 1990's downtown's retail was suffering like never before. Plans were drafted to reopen part of the mall to traffic. Despite heavy opposition, one lane of traffic was installed in 1998.