Chicago city leaders are pushing to close the Ford City Mall on the southwest side calling it a “death trap,” citing serious safety risk and hazardous conditions.
The city even filed an emergency motion to vacate the property.
The doors remain open for now after a judge in court on Thursday gave all parties involved more time before ruling on the city’s emergency motion to vacate.
“I’m a little bit sad,” said shopper Claudia Moncada. “I’ve been here for a little while coming to this mall.”
“It’s a shame I think people just grew up and like to go somewhere else maybe Oakbrook or other malls,” said another shopper Miguel Villagomez.
The mall, once bustling with more than 120 stores, is now down to just 16 tenants including JcPenney, Victoria’s Secret, Foot Locker, and Bath & Body Works.
Chicago Ald. Derrick Curtis of the 18th ward said he wants the place shut down and aid the problems have been ongoing for years.
“They have no fire suppression, you have huge pipes in the basement that’s leaking thousands and thousands of gallons of water per day, and they don’t know where it’s coming from—the floor, the ground could give out at any time because it’s washing everything away,” he said.
Pictures provided to the courts show repeated issues with leaks and flooding in the basement and throughout the mall.
The alderman said the owner has not taken any action to address the issues. NBC 5 Chicago reached out to Namdar Realty Group for comment but did not hear back.
The alderman wants to see the property redeveloped and said a company has expressed interest.
“They’re looking to take over all of that just to move in put in four industrial buildings to lease out to someone like Amazon or any other businesses that want to come,” he said. “This new company would bring more revenue to the city.”
As tenants wait for the ruling from the judge, the alderman described the situation as dire.
“What if there’s a fire, there’s no way to contain the fire, there’s no way, there’s no sprinklers, nothing,” he said. “So that’s just a tragedy, again, waiting to happen so it’s time.”
The city initially reached an agreement with the owner to vacate tenants in the main part of the mall, including JcPenney. Their attorney fought back in court saying the company needed more time to evaluate the notice and expressed they want to remain open. The company renewed its lease for another five years and is said to be profitable at this location.
The judge granted the owner, the city, and tenants seven more days before a ruling is issued. The next court hearing is scheduled for Thursday, April 23rd at 1 p.m.
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