FOREST ACRES, S.C. — The Richland Mall property is now closed to the public. The City of Forest Acres made the announcement today while presenting the next steps in the redevelopment.
"Phase one is demolition, and that's been retained. A demolition contractor has met with the city,” Forest Acres Mayor Thomas Andrew said.
The mayor said after months of sitting vacant, the buildings on the 32-acre lot at Richland Mall will be demolished within weeks.
"Right now, this site is occupied by blight and faded memories, but in the years to come, we're going to see it occupied by growth and new memories."
The 930-thousand square feet are going to go from a vacant building to what the city is calling a new ‘city center.’
"50 thousand square feet of retail and restaurants, then there's also going to be a large grocery, 380 apartments,” Andrews said.
A look at the proposed new Richland Mall in Forest Acres
Not to mention the park the city plans to install on the backside of the property. Sen. Mia Mcleod presented a $3 million check to the city to reimburse the funds to purchase the land for the park.
"When I think about a park and amphitheater, I think a mixed community, used community, it's gonna be awesome,” McLeod said.
The city is currently finalizing contract details with a design team for the park. Once that process is complete, the city will start receiving public input and planning for the park will begin. The city says it will take 18 months from the start of the design process until the city's construction plan is ready for the new park.
"I think it'll be great," said Carolina Six, who works at Forest Acres Animal Hospital across from the mall. " I think it'll clear up a lot of space, more than just like this hill going down the road. I think it'll bring more traffic to the area, which will help people find our business a little bit easier.”
"It's gonna be a lot better than just looking at that pretty ugly building with nothing in it,” resident Tanner Bethea said.
The City of Forest Acres says a timeline for construction is not clear at this time. The city also reminds residents the mall is now private property, and any unauthorized person on the site will be charged with trespassing.