A general view of the BB&T Center prior to the game between the Florida Panthers and the Boston Bruins on October 17, 2013 in Sunrise, Florida. (Source: Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

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SUNRISE (CBSMiami/AP) — Since it was built, the only attraction around the BB&T Center in Sunrise has been a shopping mall.

But times they are a-changing.

Broward County officials are taking steps to develop an area around where the Florida Panthers play hockey in what is being dubbed “Downtown West.”

Broward County is embracing a development plan for the 143 acres around the BB&T Center in South Florida.

A nonprofit real estate consultant group, The Urban Land Institute, was hired by the county to help develop plans.

The Sun-Sentinel reports that the consultants say visitors leave the arena after shows or games because there’s nothing there to capture them.

They suggest the land be developed with a potential mix of housing, a hotel, office space, retail, a casino and the hockey arena.

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