Monday marked the end of an era for a once-popular Chicago mall after the building closed its doors permanently following a decades-long run. So what’s happens to the property now?
“It’s really sad that the place is closing up. It was one of the last memories for us,” said Cliff Kendrick, who used to frequent Ford City Mall with his dad.
Kendrick was one of dozens who stopped by Monday to take pictures of the mall, and reminisce on its heyday.
“I’m just thankful it was here,” he said. “We’ll miss the mall.”
Ford City Mall in Chicago’s West Lawn community had been at the center of headlines in recent months, with safety concerns sparking calls for businesses to evacuate the mal and a lawsuit filed by the city seeking to close it for good.
The mall had a malfunctioning fire suppression system and major water leaks. There was also a deadly shooting outside in the parking lot during a large gathering last weekend.
“I think the best thing to do [was] to officially close this place,” said 18th ward Alderman Derrick Curtis.
Curtis pushed for its closure, but hopes the property sells and develops quickly, fearing further abandonment will lead to continued deterioration and crime nearby.
Namdar Realty Group owns the mall, and will continue operating the north strip mall section and the AMC movie theater, which are not closing. Industrial Manufacturer Kurv Industries has already put forth a proposal to develop the property into industrial warehouses.
Curtis welcomed the idea, and planned to meet with Kurv Industries on Monday.
“Find a developer that wants to come in and take care of the property, fix all the issues and put it back on the tax roll,” Curtis said. “Right now Kurv has been the only company that wants to come take on this monstrous challenge.”
Community members outside of the mall Monday told NBC Chicago they hope it can be turned into a mixed-use facility for future generations to make new memories.
“I’d like to see it as more retail than anything else,” Kendrick said. “I don’t want any industrial or anything that doesn’t serve much of a purpose to the people in the community.”
“No, and certainly none of those new plants that they’re talking about, the tech plants,” said Kris Beaulieu.
“It just feels like there’s nowhere to go anymore,” said Shane Kendrick. “It’s time to stand up and do what’s right.”
NBC Chicago reached out to Namdar Realty Group and Kurv Industries but did not hear back.
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