Online shopping has certainly made life more convenient for
consumers. However, many brick and mortar stores are losing business, forcing
some to close their doors. These vacancies have left shopping center managers
with empty sites and huge holes in their net operating income.
To help combat this problem, Orange County, California retail properties are welcoming medical
tenants. For example, one shopping center in Costa Mesa houses an 18,500-square
foot health center and a 3,000-square foot urgent care facility.
What’s the big draw? Healthcare tenants are attracted to
shopping centers because they want to be located within a community, with offices
that are more accessible to their patients. Additionally, the medical field
tends to be slower than other industries to adopt a technology only-based
format. Patients still prefer to see their physicians face-to-face because it
makes them feel comfortable. For these reasons, having a physical location
makes sense. Besides, their client base already frequents these shopping areas,
so why not make doctor visits more convenient?
Medical spaces may require more of an upfront investment, with
stricter codes than typical shopping center tenants. However, most of these
retail spaces are fitted for the medical industry’s needs. The Professional
Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) stated that these spaces may need extra
security. Medical offices are stocked with expensive lab equipment and drugs, often
valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars. This makes it attractive to
potential thieves.
The video below showcases one way to increase security at a
medical office space.
The suspect parked behind a medical office around 2:30 a.m.
Our security camera system operators, who saw the suspect holding a crowbar, called
the local police. The suspect exited the facility but was met by
responding officers. He immediately surrendered and he was placed under
arrest.
To combat vacancy issues and retention rates, shopping
centers in California have begun to include medical facilities as tenants.
There are unique challenges associated with medical properties, including the
need for extra security.
If you would like more information on how ECAM
can proactively deter criminal activity in Orange County and other locations
across North America, contact us here.
