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Southern Park Mall lots to be repaved
BOARDMAN
Shoppers at Southern Park Mall soon will have smooth surfaces on which to drive and park their vehicles.
The mall is undergoing a parking-lot resurfacing project, set to be complete in December. That program is in addition to a roof-replacement project that also is on track to be finished by the end of the year.
The mall will resurface lots near J.C. Penney, Firestone Complete Auto Care, Sears and the California Avenue entrance.
“Southern Park Mall, a staple in the township of Boardman, continues to invest in the property, which signifies its ongoing success,” Lori Reda, director of marking and business development at Southern Park Mall, said in a release. “We appreciate the support of the local community as this long-awaited project comes to fruition.”
The roof-replacement project, also underway, will replace 318,600 square feet of the roof. Earlier this year, the township completed the necessary steps on its part – such as setting up an energy-improvement district – so that Southern Park Mall LLC could take advantage of federal Property Assessed Clean Energy funds for that project.
The PACE financing program, which allows businesses and property owners to acquire and repay funds for energy upgrades, covers the entire cost of the roof replacement.
The township will act as a tax collector, while the Western Reserve Port Authority lends the money to the mall at a low interest rate. The dollars then get paid back through assessments on property taxes.
Township officials say these types of projects are positive for the community.
“They’re putting some money back into the mall, and the township supports those initiatives,” said township Administrator Jason Loree. “I’m glad they’re doing it.
“Every time we have some investment going on in the community ... that really helps keep Boardman a viable community for people to come and shop, and have a good time. We are the Valley’s [retail] destination, so anytime someone invests in their business, it’s a plus.”
Southern Park Mall LLC is part of Columbus-based WP Glimcher. WP Glimcher was established earlier this year after the merger of Washington Prime Group Inc. and Glimcher Realty Trust. Washington Prime Group is a spin-off of Simon Property Group.