Southridge Mall Redevelopment on Track

The Village of Greendale is on track to bringing a major anchor retail store to Southridge Mall, according to Village President John Hermes.

In November Simon Property Group, Southridge Mall owner, announced its $52 million redevelopment plan and to help the redevelopment the village approved a $16 million Tax Incremental financing district.

For the past few months the Village Board has been meeting in closed sessions to discuss the redevelopment.

There have been rumors saying Macy's will occupy the old Yonkers space in Southridge. Hermes said he cannot commit to saying that it will be Macy’s. He did say a major retail store will occupy that space.

The business blog on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel suggested Thursday that Boston Store is “using its contractural right to prevent a competing anchor store, i.e., Macy's, from entering Southridge, where Boston, Kohl's, Sears and J.C. Penney all operate.”

Hermes said that is not the case.  “We have gone through a lot of legal issues that are inherent in any large project,” he said.

Hermes said despite the delays they are “solidly on track” to bring redevelopment and a major retailer to Southridge.

Hermes released this statement on Thursday after Patch inquired about the redevelopment:

“This is an exciting time for Southridge and the Village of Greendale as we continue to be encouraged by the interest we are seeing in new development as well as support from the community.

Nothing has changed since we originally announced our commitment, along with Simon Property Group, to the redevelopment of Southridge Mall.  The plans announced in November, which include a renovation and upgrade of the mall’s interior, remain on track and we look forward to future announcements regarding a major anchor tenant and other businesses and retailers spurred because of this new commitment.

 As with any major development, it is our policy not to comment until all negotiations and provisions of the contracts have been finalized.”

In other Southridge-related news, the J-S reported Thursday that Kohl's completed the remodeling of its store at the mall. A ribbon-cutting is planned for March 25.