If I was in charge I would - create a ice rink with a skate park like what they have at Watkins Rec Center. Next, I would create a satellite location for the Math Museum (like the NYC location.)

If you had these items - lots of people would come

I worked in retail in Friendship Heights in the early 90s, and it was a major destination for wealthy foreigners to shop for luxury brands. I worked in the structure (mens side of Express), and it was never one of the top performing stores in the area, so I am thinking that for "mall brands" that area was always a bit sleepy. Luxury shoppers moved out to Tysons Galleria.