The Mall at Tuttle Crossing in Dublin battles broken air conditioning amid heat

Retailers at the Mall at Tuttle Crossing in Dublin are relying on portable air conditioning units to keep customers comfortable as the mall's central air conditioning system struggles to cope with this summer's intense heat.

For the past two summers, the Mall at Tuttle Crossing has faced recurring HVAC problems. These issues have resurfaced this year, exacerbated by one of the hottest summers on record.

According to Andrew Trujillo, assistant to the general manager, the HVAC problems were temporarily set aside during the mall's transition to new ownership last November.

Shoppers and employees have endured sweltering conditions since mid-June, when the air conditioning system first malfunctioned. Despite promises of quick repairs, the mall remains oppressively hot, with indoor temperatures often exceeding 80 degrees according to employees from various retail outlets within the mall.

"It's like a hell's cave in here," said an employee from Aeropostale, who preferred to remain unnamed.

This sentiment is shared by staff at other stores, including two employees from Foot Locker, who noted that the air conditioning issues began last summer and have persisted without significant resolution.

In response, mall management has provided 30-40 portable AC units to each retailer affected by the heat.

"I occasionally have to take breaks to stand in front of the portable AC units just to cool down," a Foot Locker employee reported.

Customers also frequently comment on the heat, prompting staff to explain that the issue lies with the mall’s infrastructure and not the individual stores.

The Mall at Tuttle Crossing, which has been using the same air conditioning system since its opening in 1997, is currently working with three to four contractors to address the failing HVAC system, Trujillo said.

The mall changed hands last November, with Namdar Realty Group, CH Capital Group and Mason Asset Management acquiring it for $19.5 million — a sum significantly below its $50 million estimated value by the Franklin County Auditor.

The mall’s new ownership team was contacted for comments on these ongoing issues, but they did not respond.

Mall management anticipates that the air conditioning system will be fully repaired by the end of 2024, Trujillo said.

Jewolf@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: The Mall at Tuttle Crossing in Dublin battles broken air conditioning amid heat