If a local developer with grandiose plans for the former Forest Fair Mall can't reach an agreement with Butler County officials on the use of a demolition grant, redevelopment of the mall might be kaput.
"If the parties don’t cooperate, it (redevelopment) just doesn’t get done," the developer, Rob Smyjunas, CEO of Oakley-based Vandercar Holdings , told The Enquirer.
What is Smyjunas seeking to demolish at the Cincinnati Mall?
Smyjunas has asked the Butler County Land Bank to use a $7.9 million state-awarded grant to demolish the mostly abandoned Cincinnati Mall, which straddles Butler and Hamilton counties and extends into both Fairfield and Forest Park.
The land bank, which is charged with putting vacant and deteriorated properties back into productive use, has been hesitant to release the funds because the portion of the mall Smyjunas wants to demolish and redevelop is in Hamilton County.
Smyjunas has not asked the Hamilton County Land Bank to pay for the demolition. Hamilton County officials declined to speculate on whether the Hamilton County Landbank could or would provide the money for demolition.
“Unfortunately, we’re not able to provide clarity on this matter as we are not aware of any specific request and cannot comment on hypothetical situations,” said Bridget Doherty, communications director for Hamilton County.
What's happening with the former Forest Fair Mall?
Even with a demolition grant, Smyjunas can't start development on the Forest Park side of the mall until he receives approval from Forest Park city leaders and the Northwest Local and Winton Woods City school districts.
Forest Park City Council tabled a request at its July 15 meeting from Smyjunas to rezone more than 40 acres on the Forest Park side of the mall from planned business to industrial park use to allow the mall's redevelopment.
Forest Park Mayor Aharon Brown said the request for rezoning would be moved to the council's next meeting, on Aug. 5, because the city was still negotiating with the developer and doesn't have a development agreement.
Smyjunas said his plans are contingent on the demolition grant and he would walk away from the project without it.
Why Butler County is hesitant to pay for demolition
Butler County Treasurer and land bank chair Michael McNamara said the demolition needs to benefit Butler County if Smyjunas wants to use the grant.
"The plan has changed, and if Butler County is no longer part of the demolition, our interest has to shift," he told The Enquirer.
McNamara said the land bank can use the grant money toward another project that falls within its parameters. The organization must use the funds by the end of 2025 or the grant will expire. McNamara doesn't expect the grant period to be extended without progress at the site.
The chairman said he wants to see the mall redevelopment be successful, but the plan "has to include Butler County."
Smyjunas doesn't think the land bank will use the grant money toward another demolition.
"If the mall doesn’t come down, there’s no plan to redevelop it," he said.
What's the plan for Cincinnati Mall?
Smyjunas wants to turn the over-90-acre site into an industrial park anchored by a major grocery store.
His concept for the site, which could change, includes:
- A 120,000-square-foot retail space for a "major retailer food store."
- A 40,000-square-foot retail space.
- Three industrial buildings.
- Two roughly 2-acre sites for entertainment and/or dining.
The three industrial buildings would ideally provide jobs in high-tech manufacturing.
Kohl's, the only remaining anchor tenant at the mall , still has a lease on its share of the Fairfield side of the mall. It's unclear what the company's plans are for the store.
Smyjunas said he was negotiating with New York-based World Properties to buy the mall for an undisclosed price last month.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 'It just doesn't get done.' Demolition dispute could kill plans for old Forest Fair Mall
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